A Junior Library Guild Selection
An Evanston Public Library Great Book for Kids 2021
"With fast-paced prose and an ear for authentic dialogue, Shen brings big emotions and ideas to the hyper-focused world of the obsessive skater. Her sharp depiction of an eager and courageous Maxine makes the lessons about the ebb and flow of friendship less clichéd than they might have been . . . Shen has created a high-spirited character worth cheering for." —The New York Times
"Shen has created a wonderfully grounded character who navigates both middle school and the world of elite athletic competition with an authentic voice—foibles, insecurities, and all. And deftly woven around edge-of-your seat competition scenes are more mundane but significant issues: everyday racism, sportsmanship, burnout among young athletes, the value of true friendships, and the unfaltering love and support of family. . .That Maxine’s figure-skating idols are all Asian (and that there are so many of them) reminds readers of how important representation is." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Through Maxine’s point of view, readers will become enveloped in the world of skating, cheering her on in competition, in life, and in opposition to the infuriating Alex. They will also find Maxine’s predicaments very familiar, as Maxine decides to keep the bullying to herself instead of confiding in her parents. Shen does an excellent job of depicting what racist bullying is like, how it can escalate, and the way it begins to take over every part of a victim's life. Fast-paced chapters filled with competition, friendship, and inspiration make this a worthy addition to any middle-grade collection." —Booklist, starred review
"Set in the dazzling world of competitive figure skating, this is a heartwarming story of perseverance and self-acceptance.” —The Horn Book
"Deftly weaving ice skating, middle school angst, and racism, The Comeback will have you rooting for Maxine from beginning to end. This one is a total winner." —Barbara O’Connor, New York Times-bestselling author of Wish
"I soared through the prose and the story, loving every minute of Maxine’s journey as a competitive ice skater." —Ellen Oh, author of the Spirit Hunters series and The Dragon Egg Princess
"I cheered for the spirited and determined Maxine both on and off the ice in this fast-paced story that made me laugh out loud and cry tears of joy and heartbreak. A story deserving of a gold medal!" —Debbi Michiko Florence, author of the Jasmine Toguchi series and Keep It Together, Keiko Carter
"E. L. Shen has written a refreshingly spunky and brave story about what it means to fight for your dreams even when the world is set on making you feel like an outsider. Maxine is a character you will find yourself rooting for on and off the ice, as she glides into her own power and purpose. A delightful debut that offers young people—especially young girls—a strong model of what it looks like to take risks and dare to be great." —Mariama J. Lockington, author of For Black Girls Like Me
★ 2020-11-18
Twelve-year-old figure skater Maxine Chen is determined to make it to the Olympics someday, but first she has to get through the North Atlantic Regionals intermediate ladies competition and sixth grade.
Maxine doesn’t feel like an average Mirror Lake Middle School student. Not only is she training on the early mornings before school and afternoons afterward, but she’s also the only Chinese American face in a mostly White student body. With regionals just a few weeks away, things seems to be heating up everywhere she turns. Her best friend is drifting away, smitten with a boy who communicates with Maxine in microaggressions aimed at her race. So while she’s worrying about her eyelids, her homework is starting to pile up, and worst of all, a new—extremely talented—skater has moved to town and is training at her rink. Shen has created a wonderfully grounded character who navigates both middle school and the world of elite athletic competition with an authentic voice—foibles, insecurities, and all. And deftly woven around edge-of-your seat competition scenes are more mundane but significant issues: everyday racism, sportsmanship, burnout among young athletes, the value of true friendships, and the unfaltering love and support of family. Bonus: That Maxine’s figure-skating idols are all Asian (and that there are so many of them) reminds readers of how important representation is.
On-ice excitement and a fierce-but-vulnerable protagonist make this a winner. (Fiction. 8-12)
