The exaggerated friend reactions don't mesh well with the flat characterization and the lack of backgrounds or detail in many panels.

Unfortunately we could not access this title via Kindle or the Netgalley app so we won’t be able to review this title at this time. Thanks so much for the opportunity.

Swing hits a lot of topics that I think will truly resonate with the target audience. Marcus is trying to figure out what it means to be himself and the steps he needs to take to get there. The struggles he goes through could really resonate as he is fighting to break out of the expectations everyone has for him and his comfort zone.

The art style did a good job of creating movement for when they were dancing. Movement lines and facial expressions really helped tell the story.

That said, I can't figure out if I had a problem with the story or the art or maybe it's a combination. There is something missing from here that could have really pulled me in and want to root for Marcus and Izzy on their journey.

I do think this could be good for the target audience as despite my complaints, I do think that it was a good story with a good message.

I received a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it

Izzy wants to stand out. She’s a flamboyant dresser, outspoken, unafraid. It’s not always easy, but it’s the life of a future fashion designer.


Marcus doesn’t like soccer, but he plays because his family and his friend Ted want it. Even though Ted isn’t exactly a good friend. Or maybe a friend at all.

A PE project to do dance styles with a partner goes up in smoke when Marcus and Izzy are paired.. In order to save their grades, the PE teacher says he’ll change the grade if they perform at the talent show. Which means missing soccer, dealing with pressure from friends, and….learning to let Izzy lead the way.

This is a cute middle grades graphic novel with enjoyable characters that also looks into gender roles and the pressure they can place on kids.

I was lucky to receive a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and also see a print edition from my local library. In this middle grade graphic novel, Marcus feels pressure to play soccer. Izzy struggles to fit in and find true friends. The two are paired together for gym class and must perform a swing dance together. While their initial attempt is a disaster, the gym teacher gives them a chance to redeem their grade through talk Jen hit site participation. This book has some painfully accurate representation of middle school bullying, awkwardness, social drama, academic and familial pressure, and more. There were a lot of cringe-inducing foot-in-mouth moments but again probably on par with eighth grade interactions. Thankfully, the story ends on a positive gender-bending note of friendship and acceptance. The book is very readable with strong illustrations and coloring.

Meeker, Audrey. Swing. Feiwel & Friends 2024, 978-1250864048. $14.99. 256p. Grades 4-8

Description: Marcus McAllister wants to fit in even when he feels like an outsider. He constantly tries to live up to his brother on the soccer field even though he doesn’t enjoy the sport.
Izzy Briggs could not care less about fitting in. She was born to stand out with her bold fashion choices and personality, so when she is partnered with Marcus McAllister for the swing dancing extra credit project in Gym she is less than enthused. Can these two learn to swing dance together and earn the extra credit they need to pass the class

Thoughts: As a whole this book was really enjoyable. I enjoyed that it highlighted gender roles and how Izzy was the “lead” in the swing dancing. I also really loved that the book highlighted toxic friendships when Marcus was being bullied by his “friend”, Ted.

Graphic Novel; Realistic Fiction; 741.5

Tags: Fitting in, Bullying, Relationship Skills, Self Awareness, Gender Issues, Trust, Soccer, Swing Dancing, Friendship

Sweet book about how being true to yourself can sometimes be difficult. Unlikely alliances form in order to get a good class grade. It can be hard to choose between fitting in and being yourself. Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A story about two middle school students who ended up doing swing dancing with each other for gym class; however because of their poor performance in class, they had to participate at the talent show as a negotiation with the gym teacher in order to pass the class. Izzy, a strong girl who has a lot of self-confidence and is aware of what she likes and dislikes, was very patient with Marcus as he battles between satisfying his parents’ expectations of him and pleasing Ted in being part of the soccer team to be better than their older brothers. This entire book was definitely written under the perspective of middle school students and the challenges they face like bullying, peer pressure, and self-identity. Overall, the ending does conclude that being true to oneself is above all else!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy for review!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Audrey Meeker, and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Marcus is so desperate to fit in that he's playing soccer just because his best friend Ted is. Izzy wants to stand out and tries to with her smarts and the way she dresses.
Things get bad though when she and Marcus are paired together for their dance unit in gym class. They do so badly their grade is at risk. Their only hope is to perform the swing routine in the talent show to receive a passing grade and extra credit. They accept but Izzy has one condition: she gets to lead the dance. Will they be able to get through the talend show in one piece?

A great middle grade graphic novel about doing what makes you happy and the pressures of friends.

Really fantastic middle grade graphic novel! I like the exploration of likes and dislikes the way the characters reactions and family interactions were handled honestly. My only hang up is I would’ve liked to see the bully get his due on page that would’ve been really cathartic. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.

Marcus and Izzy have found themselves in a tough spot. They did not perform their swing dance well in gym class, so they have to perform it again during the school's talent show for extra credit. Marcus finds himself stuck between Izzy and dancing and his friend Ted and soccer. Izzy just wants to be herself. 'Swing' does not shy away from the hard, complicated feelings that come for Marcus and Izzy as they navigate friendship, self confidence, and middle school. This book is well-rounded and deserves a spot on every library's shelf.

Swing by Audrey Meeker is a beautifully crafted story that captures the essence of youthful love and the complexities of growing up. I was drawn in by the rich characters and their emotional journeys, which felt both authentic and relatable. The way Meeker weaves themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of music made this book a truly enjoyable read that I couldn’t put down!

I only enjoy contemporary middle grades when they are unique, or fun, or in graphic novel edition. This one is all three!
At the beginning it felt full of cliches: the boy who is almost bullied into playing soccer, the girl who has changed style over the summer, the bully who pretends to be a friend and makes fun of everyone… but the PE teacher suggesting dance in the first few pages is what kept me hooked!

Middle school is tough; its a time when kids are trying to figure out who they are and who everyone around them thinks they should be. Marcus doesn't want to play soccer anymore, but his family and teammates expect him to give his all, just like his brother. Izzy wants to be herself - into drama and design, dressing in black, dying her hair, etc. But her mom has plans for her and expects nothing but the best. And her classmates label her the weird girl. When these two are thrown together for a school dance project, they just need to work together long enough to pass the class. Can they get past everyone else's expectations and see they have more in common than they thought?

To fit in, Marcus plays soccer with his rude friend Ted, even though he dislikes the sport. However, when he is paired with Izzy—a girl known for her bold fashion choices—for a gym assignment on dance, their lack of trust leads them to fail the assignment completely. To pass gym class, they must perform their dance routine during the talent show. Throughout this experience, Marcus learns the importance of being true to himself and discovering his passions.
I absolutely adored this book to the point that I couldn't put it down and finished it in a single sitting. The protagonist, Marcus, comes across as an everyday guy, yearning for genuine friendships and striving to blend in with the crowd. In stark contrast stands Izzy, who exudes boldness and is determined to make her mark. While Marcus's demeanor is quite unremarkable, Izzy’s personality is a whirlwind of energy, often bordering on being a control freak. Their opposing traits create a delightful tension that enriches the narrative.
However, I must admit I found Ted rather off-putting. His rudeness and air of superiority made it hard to warm up to him. On a brighter note, the artwork throughout the book bursts with vivid colors, perfectly mirroring the lighthearted tone of the story. Every page had me chuckling, leaving me in high spirits.
Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone in search of a charming and heartfelt friendship tale.

What a cute middle grade graphic novel! Izzy wants to stand out, while Marcus wants to blend in. When Izzy and Marcus are paired together in gym class, their clashing outlooks seem impossible to overcome. As the pair learns to work together, they also learn the value of friendship and spending their time on people and activities that they enjoy. I'll definitely be adding this to my classroom library!

Marcus plays soccer though he hates it; Izzy loves designing clothes and has decided that she doesn’t care if anyone likes what she wears or not.

The two are thrown together because they are not doing well in P.E., and to keep their grades up they must learn a swing dance, and do it for the talent show, and place. If they can do that, they can bring their grades back up.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC - my 12 year old really enjoyed this book!

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and Audrey Meeker for the opportunity to read this e-ARC!

Marcus plays soccer in the shadow of his superstar athelete older brother. Izzy is a hard-working student under the pressure of her mom.

They get paired up in gym class on the first day of 8th grade to perform a swing dancing routine in the class, but when it goes horribly wrong, they need extra credit to boost their grade. Their new assignment: prepare a routine for the school talent show.

Marcus struggles with trying to please his parents and a relentless "friend" who doesn't really act like a friend should. Izzy struggles against the pressure from her mom who doesn't understand that she wants to be a fashion designer.

The two find each other at a time when they need support from outside influences and help each other stand up for what they need.

This was a quick read, but relatable with peer pressure and parent pressure that middle schoolers face. And I love that it introduces swing dancing!

"Swing" by Audrey Meeker is a great graphic novel featuring Marcus and Izzy who are paired to do swing dancing for a gym project. Navigating social pressures of middle school by either trying to fit in or stand out, this is an unlikely pairing. I really appreciated Audrey Meeker's writing and illustration. This book captures many aspects of middle school including trying to follow one's passions, pressure from sports, issues of bullies and dealing with family expectations. Although this book was tense at time, I enjoyed it and appreciated Meeker's message. Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC.

This was cute and fun! A story about the pressures that come from sports, school, family, and the struggle to fit in. I liked that both of the main characters stayed pretty awkward the whole time, they didn't just instantly get cool when they realized they could be friends.