The Beginners #1 by Elizabeth Levy

The Gymnasts The Beginners #1is by Elizabeth Levy. The chapter book has one-hundred and twenty-one pages. It is part of The Gymnasts’ series. The series chronicles the (mis)adventures of four girls.

The Beginners #1is about four girls who join a gymnastics academy. Lauren and Cindi are best friends. They studied the gymnastics together in the past, but stopped their studies. Lauren, at Cindi’s insistence, joins the Evergreen Gymnastic Academy now. At the academy, they meet two other gymnasts new to the academy, Darlene and Jodi. All four girls become friends and become the Pinecone team.

I have written that there are early reader chapter books for all interests. The idea is to write a book to capture a child’s interest. The Gymnasts’ series is for girls with a strong interest for the gymnastics.

Each of the four girls has different strengths. African-American Darlene is good on the balance beam. Jodi is fantastic on the uneven bars (her mother is a coach). Cindi and Lauren specialize in the floor exercises. All girls aim to improve in all aspects of the sport. They want to create an outstanding team.

Elizabeth Levy’s writing captures the spirit and determination of the girls to excel in the sport. The early reader chapter book does not delve only on the academy. These eleven and twelve-years-olds girls are ordinary with family, school and social issues. Of course, there is, Becky, the ubiquitous pain-in-the-neck kid. Think Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series. Draco may have met his match. It is said girls are cattier than boys.

I recommend tween book, The Beginners #1, especially for girls eight to twelve-years-old who are interested in gymnastics. They will understand the hard work involved and the different moves. The Gymnastics series will give insight to the different routines seen on television.

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Note: The Beginners by Elizabeth Levy review copy is from my private library. Tween book was purchased with my private funds.