In the third installment of this fun series about the Derby Daredevils, the spotlight is on Tomoko, the Tomonator! After learning what Kenzie and Shelly bring to the Derby team, this time around Tomoko shines. Following the Derby Daredevils on their way to Dallas for a roller derby sleepaway camp, Tomoko quickly learns that camping with her uncle in the vast outdoors is nothing like camping in a big city. Already not the biggest fan of meeting strange people or spending time in huge groups, Tomoko finds herself facing ridicule for bringing actual camping gear to an in-door camp. But when the Derby Daredevils get lost in the big city after a basketball-derby practice, all eyes are on Tomoko: can she navigate them back to the camp before anyone notices they’re missing?
One thing about the Derby Daredevils series that always makes me smile is how Rosewater balances lighthearted and fun moments with exploring tougher topics. Tomoko, in particular, faces a lot of discrimination—for being plus-sized and her Japanese heritage—and Rosewater introduces the concept of microaggressions in a supportively coded environment. The ways in which Tomoko is ridiculed are an everyday occurrence and this book really shows how hard it is to speak up for yourself when people just gloss over derogatory comments and try to rationalise that “it was just a joke” or “they didn’t mean it that way”. I loved how Tomoko finds the strength to stand up for herself in the face of this discrimination but even more so that she has the courage to tell her friends that—while being generally supportive—they also need to be more aware of how they react to these instances of microaggressions to be a good ally. These kinds of topics are rarely discussed in children’s books with this level of empathy and engagement and that’s where this series truly shines.
As always, Sophie Escabasse’s illustrations are beautiful, fun, and add so much to this diverse cast of characters. From situational humour to nasty old women, this great middle grade series is elevated to a higher level thanks to these stunning illustrations.
Tomoko as a character has such a big heart and so much love for her friends and I just adore reading about these fierce girls and can’t wait to read the next installment!
Shining a light on microaggressions and what it means to be a true friend, Tomoko Takes the Lead is another fabulous installment in the diverse, lighthearted, and fun middle-grade series The Derby Daredevils!
Tomoko Takes the Lead is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of June 1st 2021.
Will you be picking up Tomoko Takes the Lead? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Book 3 in this highly illustrated middle-grade series stars shy Tomoko and finds the team at roller derby summer camp in nearby Dallas
School’s out, and the Derby Daredevils are excited to spend all summer tearing up the track. But, the coaches have something special planned: the Austin league is heading to Dallas for a week of roller derby sleepaway camp! Tomoko could not be more excited—she loves roller derby and her team. Plus, she’s been going camping with her uncle every summer since she can remember. She’s got all the gear and the skills she needs for two weeks in the great outdoors.
But roller derby camp isn’t in the great outdoors. It’s in the middle of the city. And it means meeting a bunch of new kids, which isn’t exactly a strength for shy, introverted Tomoko. Disappointed, she puts her head down and skates hard until the team gets lost in the middle of Dallas—without a grown-up or a cell phone to guide them back to camp. Tomoko uses her wilderness skills and navigational know-how to lead them home and her calm demeanor to keep everyone feeling safe.
