McKenna (American Girl)

by Mary Casanova

Other authorsBrian Hailes (Illustrator)

Paperback, 2011

Status

Available

Publication

American Girl (2011), Edition: 1st, 128 pages

Description

Seattle fourth-grader McKenna Brooks, who lives for gymnastics, struggles with school work until Josie, a tutor confined to a wheelchair, helps her with reading comprehension and much more.

User reviews

LibraryThing member anboggs

10-year-old McKenna has always been great at gymnastics AND in school. However, her grade start to slip and she's assigned to work with a tutor as different from a competitive athlete as possible: she's in a wheelchair. Josie, McKenna's tutor, helps her work towards her goals and get her grades

back up. Just as school starts going well, McKenna becomes injured, damaging her confidence in school and gymnastics. With help from Josie, McKenna is able to regain her confidence and succeed.

Show Less

1 more

LibraryThing member foggidawn

Fourth-grader McKenna is a highly motivated young gymnast, but when it comes to schoolwork, she's finding it a little more difficult to stay focused. When her parents and teacher arrange for her to be tutored, she feels embarrassed and angry -- and when her friends on the gymnastics team ask if

she's getting special gymnastics coaching when she leaves class, she finds it all too easy to say yes. Can McKenna catch up on her schoolwork, adjust her priorities, and sort out her friendships -- or will something have to give?

As you can probably tell from the description, this book is a little message-heavy. I think kids will enjoy reading it, especially those who share McKenna's interest in gymnastics, but readers outside the book's targeted demographic won't find much to engage their interest.

Show Less

Fewer