THE TRYOUT (AI DRAFT)
Cheerleading, friendship and belonging collide in a middle-school memoir.
The Worldview
Read it together. Christina’s courage, supportive family and loyalty to her friend make this an engaging memoir, but her questions about following Jesus and Buddha call for a parent’s guidance.
The book honors perseverance, family care and the repair of friendship after jealousy and hurtful choices. It also depicts racism plainly: classmates mock Christina’s food, misunderstand her Thai background and use a racist nickname. Those insults are shown as painful, not admirable. Her parents offer support, and Christina finds strength in her wider community.
Faith is part of the family’s life, but the book does not give a biblical answer to Christina’s spiritual questions. She attends a Presbyterian church and a Thai Buddhist temple, and wonders whether she can follow both Jesus and Buddha. That uncertainty deserves a clear, gentle conversation about what Christians believe and why other religions differ. Scripture calls Christians to welcome others without partiality, while also asking us to test spiritual claims. Christina’s longing to belong can open a conversation about the welcome Christ gives: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESStarting seventh grade without her best friend in any of her classes, Christina wants to fit in at her small Texas school. When she and Megan decide to try out for cheerleading, the months of practice bring excitement, pressure and new strain to their friendship. Christina also faces classmates’ assumptions about her Thai heritage and wrestles with what belonging means.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own reader.
- Early school scenes A classmate mocks Christina’s Thai background and calls her “rice girl”; other racist jabs are mentioned.
- Page 23, paperback A classmate insists Christina is Taiwanese after she says her father is from Thailand.
- Page 78, paperback Christina’s mother recalls a waitress refusing to serve her and Christina’s father because they were a mixed-race couple.
- Pages 142 and 148, paperback Christina attends Thai language lessons at a Buddhist temple and wonders whether someone can follow both Buddha and Jesus.
- Baptism-and-salvation conversation The book presents differing claims about baptism and salvation alongside its comparison of Jesus and Buddha.
A locator so a parent can pre-read the scenes that matter instead of the whole book.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Moral worldview values courage, supportive family and friendship. Buddhist teaching and practice are presented positively alongside church attendance: Christina’s family prays at a Buddhist temple, and Jesus and Buddha are imagined as friends; the book also presents differing claims about baptism and salvation.
Foul Language
Light language: “turd” appears once. A bully repeatedly calls Christina “rice girl” and uses other racist jabs.
Violence
No violence.
Sex
No sex or romance.
Nudity
No nudity.
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use.
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs.
Miscellaneous Immorality
A classmate bullies Christina with racist taunts, and students and teachers sometimes fail to address exclusion. The story shows the hurt this causes rather than praising it. Christina sometimes puts others down to fit in and later regrets her hurtful words; jealousy and competition also strain her friendship with Megan.
Is the Writing Any Good?
Four stars: the memoir pairs lively, emotionally expressive artwork with a perceptive middle-school voice. Joanna Cacao’s colorful panels make Christina’s embarrassment, daydreams and growing confidence easy to read. The cheerleading plot gives the story momentum, while friendship and family keep it grounded. Some fantasy daydreams interrupt the real-life action, but the humor and honest account of awkward choices carry the story.
Talk About It
Four questions for the dinner table, the car, or a parent and teen reading it together.
Christina wonders whether she can follow both Buddha and Jesus. What would you want to ask or learn before deciding what to believe?
1 John 4:1 · James 1:5When Christina is called a racist name, what could a classmate or teacher do to help? What would make it easier or harder to speak up?
James 2:1 · Proverbs 31:8–9How does wanting the same opportunity strain Christina and Megan’s friendship? What helps friends handle competition without putting each other down?
Philippians 2:3–4 · Proverbs 17:17Christina receives support from her family and community. Who helps you feel known and welcome, and how can you offer that welcome to someone else?
Romans 15:7 · Ephesians 4:32The Final Word
THE TRYOUT is a funny, thoughtful memoir with strong artwork, loving family support and a serious look at racist bullying. Its portrayal of Buddhist practice alongside Christian worship, without a clear biblical distinction, is best discussed together. Read it together.
