Volleyball Vibe
Volleyball Vibe
“Last year you spent all your time after school either on your phone or at the mall. I knew junior high was new for you and I wanted to give you some time to pull it together. But it’s a week into grade eight and you still aren’t making good use of your time. You’re hardly interacting with anyone at all. So I’m giving you a choice.”
Oh no! Whenever an adult says “I’m giving you a choice” it really means you have zero choice. It means they have already chosen for you.
“You will do one of two things,” Mom continues.” You will either get a job, or you will play on a school team. Since I’m not around after school, I need to know you’re doing something worthwhile.” (p. 7)
Ria’s single mom is attending dental college and worries about Ria who spends all of her spare time on the internet looking at fashion magazines or at the mall trying on clothes and make-up. When her mom gives her the choices, a job or joining a school team, Ria knows that the job would be helping in her aunt’s daycare looking after little kids and changing smelly diapers. That is not appealing, but neither is being part of a sports team. At school that very day, there is an announcement for tryouts for the volleyball team after school. Ria decides to give it a try even though she is not keen on joining. Much to her disappointment, exactly 12 people show up and so everyone is on the team.
Ria is surprised when, after a rocky start, Sutton, the team captain, helps her to improve her skills. She works harder than ever and finds that she is enjoying being on the team and enjoying volleyball. When two of her teammates decide to skip practice and go to the mall, they invite Ria along. The two girls have been very vocal and very negative toward both Sutton and the coach, and Ria doesn’t agree with them. Ria has been hoping for a chance to go to the mall, but she chooses to support her team and attend practice. When the two girls are kicked off the team, Ria feels good about her decision. She learns that sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe is right. Volleyball provides her with a purpose, a boost to her self-esteem and friends.
Volleyball Vibe is an excellent story about growing up and the sport of volleyball. The practices and games are well-detailed and explained so that everyone can understand what is happening. Because Ria is a novice and the story is told in first person from Ria’s point of view, there is a wonderful opportunity to explain the game and the rules. The plot is fast-paced, and the ending is both satisfying and heartwarming. The characters are believable. There are 20 chapters with titles that lead the reader through the plot. This title is part of the “Sports Stories” series with a reading level of 3.1 which makes this an excellent choice for reluctant readers. The book would also be an excellent read-aloud choice, and it would offer many opportunities for discussion around the themes of friendship, decision-making, realistic situations and sports.
Deborah Mervold is a retired educator from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, with experience as a high school English teacher and teacher-librarian and post-secondary experience at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. She is a lifelong learner with a passion for books and reading.