The Squad: A Graphic Novel (The Tryout #2)

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Break out your pom poms! The highly anticipated, stand-alone companion to the instant #1 bestseller The Tryout promises even more cheer, higher stakes, and relatable middle-school drama. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier.

“Raw, candid, moving, and full of heart.” — Betty C. Tang, creator of the award-winning bestseller Parachute Kids“Gorgeous, heartfelt, and hilarious.” — Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series

STEP UP. COMMIT. FOLLOW THROUGH.

It’s eighth grade and Christina and her besties, Megan and Leanne, are once again going through the brutal trials of cheerleading tryouts. This year, Christina feels more confident: She dresses in her own style and has amazing friends, even her first crush. But what if the girls don't all make the squad? Worse than that, Christina learns her parents' marriage is collapsing. Suddenly, her family, her future, and her identity seem in total freefall. Can Christina keep it together and still make her cheerleading dreams come true?This high-flying, heart-filled story will make you laugh harder, cry more, and cheer louder than ever!

About the Author

Christina Soontornvat is a three-time Newbery Honoree, a Sibert Honoree, and a Kirkus Prize winner. Her highly acclaimed backlist includes the middle grade books The Tryout, The Last Mapmaker, A Wish in the Dark, and All Thirteen; the picture book To Change a Planet; and the chapter book series Diary of an Ice Princess and Legends of Lotus Island. Christina lives in Austin, Texas, with her family. You can learn more about her work at soontornvat.com.

Joanna Cacao is a Canadian-Filipino author-illustrator who lives in Winnipeg with her Pomeranian, Danny. She loves working on magical and fantastical stories. Growing up in front of a TV, Joanna immediately became obsessed with any show or film that had a great story and set of characters. Her favorite shows consist of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Downton Abbey, and Gravity Falls. Her biggest influences come from various manga, as well as Ghibli and Disney films. She has a background in 3D Animation, and has self-published a queer webcomic: Toxic for You.