Publisher’s Description

“You’re only as good as your partner.”

Mikayla is a wrestler; when you grow up in a house full of brothers who are die-hard mat heads, it’s in your DNA. She even has a wrestling name: Mickey. Some people don’t want a girl on the team. But that won’t stop her. She’s determined to work hard, and win.

Lev is determined too–he’s going to make it to the state championship. He’s used to training with his two buddies as the Fearsome Threesome. But at the beginning of sixth grade, he’s paired with a new partner—a girl. This better not get in the way of his goal.

Mickey and Lev work hard together, and find a way to become friends. But at States, there can only be one winner.

This warmhearted, engaging novel by the author of the highly praised The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary explores competition among athletes, how it influences family and friendships, and what happens when one girl wants to break barriers in a sport dominated by boys.

Rebecca P’s Thoughts

Full of Grrl Power!, Laura Shovan also deftly explores how girl power can separate as well as support. Why is Mikayla a girl wrestler? Why isn’t she simply a wrestler? She’s a good one, and not only good “for a girl.” This is one of many reasons I recommend TAKEDOWN. Shovan is wonderful at exploring a range of meaningful characters and social-political issues (equally evidenced in her novel-in-verse The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary), doing so in an organic way that never makes the reader feel overwhelmed or as if we’re being “taught a lesson.” Add in fun and funny middle grade interactions and hijinks, and TAKEDOWN earns a W for Win!

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REBECCA PETRUCK is the author of Boy Bites Bug and Steering Toward Normal, both with ABRAMS/Amulet. BUG received a starred review from Booklist, which called it “…funny, perceptive, and topical in more ways than one.” STEERING was an American Booksellers Association New Voices selection as well as a Kids Indie Next List title. Rebecca holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UNC Wilmington, and is a mentor for SCBWI Carolinas, Pitch Wars, and Writing in the Margins. She is represented by Kate Testerman of kt literary. Visit Rebecca at http://rebeccapetruck.com