Book Review: Joss: Touch the Sky by Erin Falligant
Joss: Touch the Sky by Erin Falligant
Publisher: American Girl
Release Date: December 26, 2019
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
In the second book in her series: Joss Kendrick is always looking for new ways to soar. So when her cheer team needs a new flyer, she can’t wait to step up (literally). Her high-flying skills on her surfboard and skateboard make her a natural for the role. But when her skateboarding act at the talent show turns into a total catastrophe — make that a dogtastrophe — Joss loses her confidence all around, even at the cheer gym. The cheer competition is coming up fast, though, and her team is depending on her to nail a tricky stunt. The problem is, Joss doesn’t trust them not to drop her. She wants to do an easier stunt, but if she plays it safe, can her team still win? And if they don’t, will her team ever forgive her?
Joss Kendrick is the 2020 American Girl Doll of the Year. She is the first hearing impaired American Girl doll. She also surfs and is a cheerleader! The book that she comes with, Joss, is about surfing. Touch the Sky, which is sold separately, is about cheerleading.
My nine year old daughter bought Joss and she was excited to read this book. I’d never actually read one of the many, many American Girl books before and I was pleasantly surprised. This wasn’t a hastily dashed off, gimmicky book. It was well written and substantial. Joss is dealing with some serious stuff, like fear of failure. Also, she and her friends compete in a talent show and through a serious of missteps, end up winning first prize. Joss struggles with the fact that they won, even though they didn’t really deserve to.
My favorite thing about this book is the Joss’s hearing loss is totally normalized and I think hearing impaired little girls will be appreciate that too. This is not a book about Joss struggling to overcome her hearing loss. She is well-adjusted, her friends know how to adapt their actions when around her (making sure they are facing her when talking to her, etc.) and it’s basically a nonissue. This is book is about Joss having normal problems that all little girls have.
My daughter and I both enjoyed this book. It’s made me want to read more American Girl books, especially ones that go with the historical dolls as I’ve heard they are particularly good. Touch the Sky is a great book for any child, whether or not they own the doll or are hearing impaired.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book for review.)
