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TL;DR: Twelve-year-old Astrid falls in love with roller derby after her mother takes her to a game. She signs up for a summer derby camp, expecting her best friend, Nicole, to join her. But Nicole chooses dance camp with another girl. Astrid struggles to learn the sport, faces the loss of her friendship and discovers her own strength.
Table of Contents
Roller Girl at a Glance
| Author | Victoria Jamieson |
| First published | 2015 |
| Type | Graphic novel |
| Best for | young readers who want a funny, honest graphic novel about friendship and growing up |
Roller Girl is a graphic novel by Victoria Jamieson, published in 2015. It won a Newbery Honor in 2016, a rare honor for a graphic novel. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes mild injuries and friendship conflict.
Main Characters
- Astrid: A twelve-year-old girl who learns roller derby.
- Nicole: Astrid's best friend, who goes to dance camp.
- Zoey: A new friend Astrid meets at camp.
- Rainbow Bite: A roller derby star Astrid admires.
- Astrid's mother: A supportive single parent.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Derby
Astrid's mother takes her and Nicole to a roller derby game. Astrid loves it: the speed, the energy and the bold skaters. She signs up for junior derby camp. Nicole, however, signs up for dance camp with Rachel, a girl Astrid dislikes. Astrid feels betrayed.
Camp
At derby camp, Astrid is a terrible skater at first. She falls, struggles and feels like a failure. She lies to her mother about walking home from camp so she can spend time alone and avoid others. She also dyes her hair blue to look like a roller girl.
Rainbow Bite
Astrid admires Rainbow Bite, a star of the adult team. She writes to her and receives encouraging notes. Astrid begins to improve and grows stronger and more confident. She makes a new friend, Zoey, who is also learning the sport.
Friendship
Astrid's anger at Nicole builds, and she says cruel things. She learns that Nicole has her own reasons for changing. Astrid realizes that friendships can change and that it is okay to grow apart. She apologizes for some of her actions.
The bout
At the end of camp, Astrid plays in her first bout, a derby game. She chooses the derby name “Asteroid.” She does well and feels proud. She has new friends and a new passion. She learns that growing up means being brave, making mistakes and finding your own way.
5 Key Takeaways
- Trying new things takes courage.
- Friendships can change.
- Hard work leads to progress.
- Mistakes are part of learning.
- Role models can inspire us.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- You can find your place in unexpected places.
- Being honest with yourself and others matters.
- Strength comes from practice and persistence.
Who Should Read Roller Girl?
Read Roller Girl if you are a young reader who enjoys sports, graphic novels and stories about friendship. It suits ages 9 to 13.
About Victoria Jamieson
Victoria Jamieson is an American author and illustrator who plays roller derby herself, under the derby name Winnie the Pow. Roller Girl was her first graphic novel. Her other books include All's Faire in Middle School and When Stars Are Scattered, co-written with Omar Mohamed, which was a National Book Award finalist.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Roller Girl:
- Why is Astrid hurt by Nicole?
- How does roller derby change Astrid?
- Who is a role model in your life?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Roller Girl is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Roller Girl, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is funny, honest and inspiring.
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What to Read Next
- Smile by Raina Telgemeier: a funny graphic memoir about growing up
- New Kid by Jerry Craft: a graphic novel about fitting in
- All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson: another graphic novel by the same author
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Roller Girl about?
A girl learns roller derby and faces the end of a friendship.
Who wrote it?
Victoria Jamieson, in 2015.
Is it a graphic novel?
Yes.
Who is Astrid?
A twelve-year-old girl.
What is roller derby?
A fast, full-contact team sport on roller skates.
What is Astrid's derby name?
Asteroid.
Did it win awards?
Yes, a Newbery Honor in 2016.
What age is it for?
About 9 to 13.
How long is it?
About 240 pages.
Is it funny?
Yes.
Is it based on real life?
The author plays roller derby herself.
Is it good for reluctant readers?
Yes, the comics format is engaging.
Is there a sequel?
No direct sequel, but the author wrote other graphic novels for the same age group.
Is Roller Girl worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for young readers who want a funny, honest graphic novel about friendship and growing up. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.