The Comeback

A young skater faces cultural bullying and fierce competition. Can she make a comeback?

4.1/5 Goodreads · 697 ratings

272 pages

$16.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

Twelve-year-old Maxine Chen dreams of figure skating glory, but school bullies and a rival skater threaten her path. As she battles prejudice and pressure, Maxine must find the strength to rise above and reclaim her dreams. Will she triumph on the ice and in life, or will the challenges prove too great? Set in Lake Placid, this story explores the power of resilience, friendship, and self-belief.

From the publisher

E. L. Shen’s The Comeback is a heartfelt, #OwnVoices middle-grade debut about a young girl trying to be a champ–in figure skating and in life. Twelve-year-old Maxine Chen is just trying to nail that perfect landing: on the ice, in middle school, and at home, where her parents worry that competitive skating is too much pressure for a budding tween. Maxine isn’t concerned, however–she’s determined to glide to victory. But then a bully at school starts teasing Maxine for her Chinese heritage, leaving her stunned and speechless. And at the rink, she finds herself up against a stellar new skater named Hollie, whose grace and skill threaten to edge Maxine out of the competition. With everything she knows on uneven ice, will Maxine crash under the pressure? Or can she power her way to a comeback? Set in Lake Placid, New York, this is a spunky yet stirring middle-grade story that examines racism, female rivalry and friendship, and the enduring and universal necessity of love and support.

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