This is another great story in the Cross Ups series.

I really liked the focus on female gamers in this story. Cali is able to beat Jaden in the game Cross Ups, much to his surprise. He is teased for losing to a girl, though she is just as good at the game as him. Even though girls are not the stereotypical players of video games, that doesn’t mean that they can’t be good at them.

This story also dealt with the problem of cyber bullying. Cali has to deal with a player who sends her creepy, sexist messages. The boys think it is just another part of gaming, but there is a difference between someone saying that you don’t play well and someone making comments about your gender. This is an important issue that is a very real danger when kids are playing online.

I loved this story! I can’t wait for this series to continue.

So I didn't read book 1 which I hate doing! But this book was ok! The sexism in this book was a little alarming for the audience this book is supposed to appeal to! But is a fast paced read n hard to put down unless you're throwing it lol! Thank you netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review!

Why is Jaden’s best friend, Cali, acting so weird?

Jaden loves to play Cross Ups, he’s got a sponsorship that supplies him with an awesome controller, and even though his BFF Cali has moved to Montreal, they still have fun playing Cross Ups together. But while Cali’s getting better and better at their favorite video game, she’s also freezing Jaden out. She dumps the game without answering his questions, she keeps changing her gamer tag, and she’s keeping secrets.

In Anyone's Game (Cross Ups, Book 2), Jaden is having an awesome time with his new teammates, even though he’s a bit intimidated as the youngest player. There’s a tournament coming up and Jaden’s got a chance to go to Montreal, if only he can convince his mom to let him go. There are a few shenanigans by friends and family, and Jaden’s on his way with his sister and her boyfriend, riding the train to Montreal. If only he didn’t leave his team’s controller on the train. If only Cali would say what was bothering her. If only her baby sister, Ruby, would quit crying.

There’s a lot riding on this tournament, including Jaden’s friendship with Cali. She’s more than a little bit angry and she’s entering the tournament herself. Jaden’s trying to help her by letting her win, but that’s not turning out the way that he planned. Jaden’s learning more about being a friend, treating girls fairly and equally, but most of all he’s learning to listen. Jaden must understand the line between teasing, trash talking, and harassment. It’s a lesson he can’t learn too soon, because someone’s taking it too far and harassing girls online and in real life. Can Jaden learn empathy, understand when trash talk isn’t funny, and stand up for the best friend a guy ever had… even if it costs him his team? Can he support Cali as she stands up for herself as a gamer and a girl?

There are good lessons and relatable, teachable moments in this story on some hard topics, including sexism on multiple fronts, trolling, stalking, bullying, standing up for what’s right, friendship, and much, much more.

Highly recommended and enjoyed as a fun, fast read that will appeal to a wide range of readers, including reluctant readers, and especially gamers.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the publisher through NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

I thought this was a very good follow up to Tournament Trouble, and I really enjoyed that it explored the issue of sexism in gaming. It kept me engaged and invested in the story.

This had the same general appeal as the first book, but I disliked the approach to addressing sexism in gaming. While boys who don't know better might find it enlightening with regards to the sexual girl's face in gaming, gamer girls (or any gamers who are perceived as female) who pick this up will probably want to throw the book because Jaden remains clueless and defensive of a dude who sexually harasses his best friend for a good part of the book. I would rather the book has been written from Cali's point of view, to center her feelings and experiences.