A review by kateteaching7and8
Takedown by Laura Shovan

4.0

Mikayla has grown up in a household of wrestlers. As she enters her sixth grade year, she is moving from the rec team to the local traveling team. She always thought she'd be an Eagle like her older brothers, but the coach won't allow her to join because she's a girl. This forces her to join the opposing team, the Gladiators. It also makes her more determined than ever to prove she has what it takes to be an amazing wrestler. Lev, also a sixth grader and determined wrestler, who has his eyes set on the state chamionship. He trains with his two best buddies, the fearsome threesome, on the Gladiators team. When Mickey (Mikayla) joins the team and coach pairs them together, he's positive his chances at state are gone. However, he soon realizes that maybe he's wrong and Mickey is just the partner he needs to push himself farther. The two work hard and push each other, but there can only be one state champion.

I don't read a lot of sports books, but with wrestling season coming up, I thought I'd check this one out. I like that it includes a strong female protagonist and I think it accurately portrays what many female wrestlers go through. I also enjoyed that this story was told from two perspectives: Mikayla (Mickey) and Lev. Not only do we get to see Mikayla's struggle, but we also get to see Lev's perspective and thoughts as he goes from questioning Mickey's abilities to respecting her as an opponent and friend. This was a heartwarming and fun read. I also found it to be a fairly quick book to read.