The Tryout

Christina Soontornvat is the central figure in her memoir of seventh grade and the cheerleading tryouts that changed her outlook on herself and of the world. When Christina starts seventh grade, she feels out of place, overwhelmed, and confused. She relies heavily on her best friend Megan, who already seems to be drifting away. Christina notices everyone dresses the same and discovers that she wants to be popular after watching the cheerleaders perform at a football game. She loves to read and has a love of fantasy and adventure that plays out in her head as she reflects on her circumstances and imagines how she wishes her life to be.

Christina’s outlook is highly negative throughout most of the seventh grade, as it is clear she has yet to figure out how to be her own pillar of support. While her parents are always there for her, they cannot guide her through the daily experiences of school, and Christina cannot rely on Megan anymore either. By joining the cheerleading tryouts, Christina makes an unexpected decision to take a risk. She feels the weight of The Desire to Fit In and Feel Understood, which is something all humans crave but which is particularly intense during the middle school years as children enter adolescence.