Bar Star (Gymnastics Diaries #2)

Bar Star (Gymnastics Diaries #2) by Georgia Godwin and Laura Sieveking, illustrated by Camilla Frescura (Scholastic) PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781760266493

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

10-year-old Georgia has a dream to become an international gymnast and is thrilled to have recently been accepted to train as part of an elite gymnastics squad. She has established new friendships in this gymnastics squad; however, she loves nothing more than hanging out with her close-knit group of school friends, particularly her best friend, Bri.

Georgia documents the events of her day in her diary, sharing the highlights and lowlights of all her fun, awkward, exciting, or tricky situations. The reading audience goes on a journey with Georgia as she navigates friendship problems when her two worlds collide, and are with her when her mind starts playing tricks on her affecting her performance during gymnastics training.

Bar Star is the second book in the Gymnastics Diaries junior fiction series. It is written in a ‘Dear Diary’ format with Georgia submitting a narrative-style entry for each day. The book’s themes include friendship, jealousy, goals, and persistence.

Georgia Godwin (co-author) is one of Australia’s most successful gymnasts and has represented Australia in the Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, and Gymnastics World Cup.

 

Gymnastics Diaries – Beam Queen

Gymnastics Diaries – Beam Queen by Georgia Godwin (with Laura Sieveking) and Amanda Erb (Scholastic Australia) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9781760266486

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Georgia Godwin, an Olympic gymnast, has put pen to paper to create a junior fiction diary series based on her experiences as a young, up-and-coming gymnast.

The first book in the Gymnastics Diaries series, Beam Queen, introduces readers to 10-year-old Georgia who has just found out that she has been accepted into the Elite Squad at All the Way Up Gymnastics Centre. Knowing this is a step towards her goal of becoming an international gymnast, Georgia is incredibly excited, but she is also disappointed because Bri her best friend – at school and on the gym floor –does not make it into the squad.

Not only is Georgia worried about her friendship with Bri, now that they won’t be training together anymore, but she is also nervous that her gymnastic skills won’t be good enough compared to the other, mostly older, members of the Elite Squad.

Using the diary style of writing, Georgia Godwin, along with co-author Laura Sieveking, has managed to tap right in to the complex and competing emotions of a 10-year-old. ‘Am I good enough?’ ‘What if nobody likes me?’ ‘It looks hard, can I do this?’

Amanda Erb’s black and white illustrations add depth to the story, particularly the rising and falling emotions of Georgia and the other gymnasts, as she navigates new territory and challenges at every turn.

Surrounded by supportive family and friends – both old and new – Georgia pushes through her fears and concerns, focusing on her ultimate goal. But the looming team comp, which is Georgia’s first ever big team event, presents a new set of hurdles (or should we say ‘beam challenges’?)

Perfect for independent readers aged 6–9 years who themselves love the sport of gymnastics, Gymnastics Diaries – Beam Queen is not only sure to be a delightful read, but will also encourage readers to go for their dreams, no matter how challenging or scary they may seem. And, who knows, we might even see a whole new generation of gymnasts heading for Olympic gold.

Going to Big School

Going to Big School by Laura Sieveking, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic) HB RRP $18.99 ISBN: 9781761201585

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Ava is excited to start ‘big school’, but Jack feels nervous. When the bell rings, Ava races to the front of the line, while Jack clings to his mum. In the classroom, Ava makes Jack laugh, and the two children colour in pictures together. During the afternoon, when the children are allowed to play with the classroom toys, Ava and Jack enjoy building block towers so much that Jack doesn’t feel scared or shy anymore.

In this gentle story aimed at three-to six-year-olds, Laura Sieveking juxtaposes two very different experiences of the first day at school in order to normalise children’s feelings about this momentous occasion. Effortless first-person text draws the child reader deep into the mind and emotions of each character, while the clever use of two distinct fonts ensures that youngsters always know whose perspective they are seeing.

Danielle McDonald’s cartoon-like illustrations are bold and bright, and they visually entwine the idea of school with the concepts of pleasure and positivity. Her contrasting characterisations of Ava and Jack celebrate diversity and reveal that skin colour is no barrier to fun and friendship.

A perfect present for any child who is about to begin kindy or prep, Going to Big School will pave the way for a settled start to the school year. This book is sure to be read again and again as children seek to settle the fluttering butterflies in their tummy.