Kickturn

Ten-year-old Lindy’s nomadic existence living in a skoolie—a retrofitted school bus—with her influencer parents looks perfect to the outside world because it’s supposed to. But after living a completely staged life for the past two years, Lindy’s initial excitement for adventure has waned, leaving her feeling frustrated and lonely, and questioning the validity of her parents’ love for her. When the skoolie breaks down, the family settles in San Jose to wait out repairs. There, Lindy meets skateboarders Dasha and May, fans of YouTube skateboarder Kentucky Jones; they help Lindy to improve her skating and introduce her to their thriving skater community. Grayscale artwork enhances the story’s emotional impact and includes handy diagrams illustrating the skoolie and skateboarding lingo. Spangler (Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper) views the shifting importance of family and friendship in Lindy’s life with the incongruity of a childhood lived on social media in a freewheeling tale about a spirited girl discovering her needs, wants, and personal agency. Most character skin tones echo the hue of the page; Kentucky Jones is depicted with a shaded complexion. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. (June)