Bravo, Mia! (American Girl) - Softcover

Grade 2–5—In Mia, the 10-year-old trades her hockey gear for figure skates. As a beginner, she isn't the best but she's spunky, hardworking, and truly loves to skate. She doesn't give up and is finally able to perform in her first show. In Bravo, Mia!, she is chosen to go to a regional competition. After setbacks of not being able to afford new skates and a costume and battling her own case of nerves, the child is able to take the ice and give it her all. The second story is more entertaining—Mia as Zuzu the Squirrel, clothing-store mascot, is hilarious. Readers also get a closer look into the world of competitive figure skating. Illustrations for both books look like digitized photos and are mostly of Mia with her family or free skating. While the stories themselves are universal, non-skaters would benefit from visuals of the different jumps and technical moves described in the stories. There is also a description of an ice rink "built to look like a Swiss chalet" that needs a picture. Overall, both stories are well written and fun. Mia is an American Girl whom readers will be cheering for on and off the ice.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA
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