Gridiron Girl

(Iron Valley 1)

by Tamara Girardi

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Pub Date Mar 03 2022 | Archive Date Feb 16 2022

Wise Wolf Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles

Sports | Teens & YA

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Description

Fun friendships, high school romance, and intense competition are at the heart of book one in Tamara Girardi’s swoon-worthy, young-adult contemporary series.

Julia Medina, dubbed Jules by her closest friends, wants to be the new, starting quarterback of Iron Valley High School’s football team, and no one is going to stand in her way. That is—until her boyfriend, Owen Malone, steps up to the challenge. Wanting to maintain her relationship with her boyfriend, Jules is torn. But while Owen is in her heart, football is in her blood.

Once the idea takes root to quit her championship volleyball team and join the leagues of Iron Valley’s toughest teenage boys, there’s no stopping Jules from pursuing her dream. In her mind, expectations that the position will go to a male player have gone on long enough, and, even as her decision creates controversy among the booster parents, school coaches, family members, and team members themselves, Jules holds strong in her beliefs.

Which is good—because when parents hear that Jules plans to participate in overnight pre-season camp with a staff of male coaches and eighty high school boys, her tryout is threatened more than ever before. Yet, nobody can deny Jules’ skills. As the youngest sister of three former high school quarterbacks, Jules knows the game. She knows what it takes to outsmart opponents, and she’s not about to let anyone count her out for being a girl.

But as the competition intensifies, Jules must choose what she wants more—to embrace girl power and lead her team on the field, or be a girlfriend on the sidelines.

Gridiron Girl will inspire you to follow your vision, instead of those dictated by others. Perfect for fans of Better than Perfect by Simone Elkeles and On the Fence by Kasie West.

Fun friendships, high school romance, and intense competition are at the heart of book one in Tamara Girardi’s swoon-worthy, young-adult contemporary series.

Julia Medina, dubbed Jules by her closest...

A Note From the Publisher

9781953944191 (hardcover)

9781953944627 (kindle)

9781953944191 (hardcover)

9781953944627 (kindle)

Advance Praise

“Gridiron Girl delivers on so many levels, and features a fierce, clear-eyed heroine who isn’t afraid to fight for what she wants, both on the field and off. I loved it!”
—Kes Trester, author of A Dangerous Year

“Gridiron Girl is an uplifting read packed with tons of girl power, delightful banter, and a whole lot of heart! I can’t get enough of Julia’s strength and her take-no-prisoners attitude! Definitely a must read!”
—Molly E. Lee, author of Ember of Night

“Inspiring and entertaining, Tamara Girardi’s Gridiron Girl expertly balances sporty-action, depth, and humor as she speeds us through the challenges and rewards of a teen who rises above expectations to accomplish a dream.”
—Nova McBee, author of the Calculated series

“Gridiron Girl lives and breathes football with the same intensity as its star athlete. A compelling book about drive and bravery and believing in yourself.”
—Stephanie J. Scott, author of All Last Summer

“Julia’s got as much grit as she has heart, both of which she’ll need to navigate obstacles on and off the field. A well-written debut novel. Tamara Girardi is a literary talent to watch.”
—Tina Ferraro, author of Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, How to Hook a Hottie, and The ABC’s of Kissing Boys

“Gridiron Girl is the book my football-obsessed heart has been craving. Give me a girl who knows how to go after her dreams even when the world is set against her, mix that with all of the epic sports-movie feels while also showing young women that they can do anything they set their mind to, and top it all off with phenomenal writing and edge-of-your-seat action, and you’ve got a story destined to become a young adult classic. Every teen girl needs to read this book.”
—Chelsea Bobulski, author of the All I Want for Christmas series

“Gridiron Girl is an engaging story about an elite athlete and her journey to step away from her role as the captain of a state bound volleyball team to pursue her true passion and earn the spot as the football team’s starting quarterback. Julia’s timely story of sports, family, determination, and romance will inspire readers to stay true to themselves, especially those who have ever considered redefining themselves.”
—Kimberly Gabriel, award-winning author of Every Stolen Breath