Pyramid of One

Pyramid of One (Cheer #2)

Zoe Evans, illustrated by Brigette Barrager

Simon Spotlight, 2011

$6.99, Paperback

978-1442422391

March 19^th, 2012

Genre: Realistic, Romance, Humor, Sports

Age: 8+

Description: Things are heating up for Madison. First, she gets her hands on a fabled copy of The Spirit Rules—an old guidebook for cheer leading the Titans have used for years. She hopes its rules and guidance can help her and Jacqui make the Grizzlies even better. Second, she’s been trying to avoid Bevan since Katie—the captain of the Titans—used to date him but its really hard since she’s really into Bevan. Third, her mom announces that the Grizzlies will be going to the regional qualifier—not to compete but to cheer the Titans on. Lastly, Lanie is doing an investigative report into sports funding and the Titans don’t like the questions she’s asking and ask Maddy to get Lanie off their backs.

Opinion: I don’t know anything about cheer leading but I really enjoy this series. Maddy is not your typical cheerleader. Jacqui is a former Titan who stands up for herself and refuses to go back to the squad after being unfairly booted in front of everyone.  Lanie is the art nerd and Evan is the comic geek who’s got everyone buying his Super Boy comic. Even background players are funny and growing—Tabitha Sue is the overweight cheerleader who is actually getting better at cheers, while Ian and Matt are the football jocks who got kicked off the team and have to be cheerleaders as punishment and begin to actually enjoy cheering. It will be interesting to see where it goes as the Grizzlies aim to compete in a smaller scale competition later in the year.