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The Go-for-Gold Gymnasts #1
Winning Team
Twelve-year-old Brittany Lee Morgan is the best. Or, at least she was at her gymnastics training gym in Ohio. But when her family moves to Texas for a world-class facility, Britt is suddenly a zero in the eyes of her new teammates. The other girls—graceful Christina, perfect Noelle, and quiet Jessie—aren’t exactly excited by the arrival of the pint-sized powerhouse. Especially since Britt has a way of saying the wrong thing at all the wrong times. But, Britt's not scared of a she’s an Elite Gymnast, and she didn’t get there without taking some major risks. She's determined to become friends with the other Texas Twisters, whether they want her to or not.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 2012
About the author
Dominique Moceanu
9 books48 followersDominique Helena Moceanu is an American author and retired American gymnast. She was a member of the gold-medal-winning United States women's gymnastics team (the "Magnificent Seven") at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 10, 2015
I loved this book everytime I picked it up I felt like I was in the book. I got so into it . I liked it because it was about my favorite thing gymnastics. I liked it so much I want to start the other books in the series
September 14, 2017
I like the plot of the book it also has deep meaning moments in the text.
July 7, 2024
I'm too old for this series, but it was fine. Young and obnoxious home-schooled gymnast struggles to make friends at her new gym.
December 19, 2016
Spirited prankster Brittany (Britt) Morgan is also a skilled gymnast. When she moves to a new town to start training at a bigger and better gym, she finds it difficult to adjust to the serious attitude, intense competition, and unfriendly faces of her new gymnastics team. Not only does she offend one of the girls by performing a move the other girl has not yet mastered, she also uncovers an eating disorder, makes a girl cry when trying to prank her, and finds herself struggling to impress her new coach.
I am usually not crazy about children’s books written by celebrities, but there is something appealing about a book about a gymnastics team written by an Olympic gymnast. It’s clear from early on in Britt’s story that Dominique Moceanu has lived many of these experiences firsthand. The details surrounding the gym, the various moves the girls perform, and even the tension between the girls also come across as authentic, and the details, especially, got me interested in the world of gymnastics, and therefore, in Britt’s story.
The plot wasn’t the most exciting, and included some cliches. If a book involves gymnastics, figure skating, or dancing, I always expect an eating disorder to show up, and that story line crops up almost immediately. I’ve also seen sports rivalries between girls in other books I’ve reviewed, such as McKenna (which is also about a gymnast), and Faith and the Camp Snob. It was very easy to predict what would happen between Britt and the other girls because cattiness among girls is such a common go-to tween plot.
I think a more skilled author might tell a more interesting story, but Moceanu has the unique advantage of having been an Olympic gymnast, so for girls who are aspiring gymnasts themselves, her perspective and knowledge of particular details will be the draw, not the storytelling. I did wish for some more character development, and some more information about Britt’s previous life and her friendship with her best friend, Dionne, but since this is apparently the first book in a series, I have a feeling some of those things might be revealed in later volumes.
All in all, I think Winning Team accomplishes what it sets out to do. It provides girls interested in competitive gymnastics with a fictionalized peek into that world. I’m not sure girls without this interest would be as excited about the story, but Britt is an engaging enough character that any reader will latch onto her and follow her story to find out what happens.
October 27, 2016
The book Winning Team is a great book to read. This book is by the authors Dominique Moceanu and Alicia Thompson. This book is about a girl named Britt who has just moved to Texas from Ohio, and is joining an elite team. The girls on her new team aren't very excited for a new girl to join their team but Britt is determined to make the best out of her time at her new gym.
This book has many ups and downs throughout the book. I didn't really like that in parts of the book she kept saying things about how much she missed about her old gym. I also didn't really like that in the book her parents weren't that supportive of her but otherwise I really liked this book. This book showed a lot of self confidence and friendship throughout it. In the story there were three girls who had already been on the team before Britt had arrived. Their names were, Christina, Jessie and Noelle. They were all Elite girls just like Britt. The girls became really good friends throughout the book and I really liked that.
Overall this was a really great book. I would give it 4 stars because it wasn't an AMAZING book but I still thought that it was pretty good. I would definitely recommend this book for people who are into gymnastics because it has a lot to do with it. Finally this book really inspired me to never give up.
This book has many ups and downs throughout the book. I didn't really like that in parts of the book she kept saying things about how much she missed about her old gym. I also didn't really like that in the book her parents weren't that supportive of her but otherwise I really liked this book. This book showed a lot of self confidence and friendship throughout it. In the story there were three girls who had already been on the team before Britt had arrived. Their names were, Christina, Jessie and Noelle. They were all Elite girls just like Britt. The girls became really good friends throughout the book and I really liked that.
Overall this was a really great book. I would give it 4 stars because it wasn't an AMAZING book but I still thought that it was pretty good. I would definitely recommend this book for people who are into gymnastics because it has a lot to do with it. Finally this book really inspired me to never give up.
August 17, 2012
Hmm...I think I need to figure out how to distinguish my children-chapter-book shelf from my YA shelf....but that's another matter.
This book is actually co-authored, although the co-author ALicia Thompson isn't showing up here.
My daughter picked this book out--she loves gymnastics. The book offers a fictionalized insight into the life of Elite gymnasts. The protagonist is 10 or 11, and has moved from Ohio to Texas to train at a more elite gym. Surprise--the other girls at the gym don't like her very much at first, and the book is a rather predictable narrative of the protagonist learning to see herself a bit differently and the mean girls have a not-entirely-believable transformation towards the end. And along the way one character deals with an eating disorder. My favorite part of the book, actually, is the strand addressing whether and how the protagonist will reveal the eating disordered girl's secret and how she will get her help.
The writing is OK. Most of the characters are really not likeable, and the themes of the book were a bit over my kid's head. It was less about gymnastics, really, and that's what she was interested in.
This book is actually co-authored, although the co-author ALicia Thompson isn't showing up here.
My daughter picked this book out--she loves gymnastics. The book offers a fictionalized insight into the life of Elite gymnasts. The protagonist is 10 or 11, and has moved from Ohio to Texas to train at a more elite gym. Surprise--the other girls at the gym don't like her very much at first, and the book is a rather predictable narrative of the protagonist learning to see herself a bit differently and the mean girls have a not-entirely-believable transformation towards the end. And along the way one character deals with an eating disorder. My favorite part of the book, actually, is the strand addressing whether and how the protagonist will reveal the eating disordered girl's secret and how she will get her help.
The writing is OK. Most of the characters are really not likeable, and the themes of the book were a bit over my kid's head. It was less about gymnastics, really, and that's what she was interested in.
April 16, 2015
Your basic middle-grade gymnastics novel. This was actually a sight better than I'd expected—the (primary) author was a gymnast (an Olympic gymnast) herself, so she knows what she's talking about on that end, but my expectations for the writing were not high.
Anyway, the basic premise is that Brittany's parents have moved from Ohio to Texas to further Brittany's career as a gymnast—without seeking Brittany's input, apparently, although otherwise seem mostly reasonable. So Brittany's the new girl on the team, and good grief that child cannot keep her foot out of her mouth. Really, we're looking at surgical removal.
It worked fine for a book of this length and difficulty, but had it gone on much longer I think it would been a bit tiring—not tiresome, mind, but tiring. So much twelve-year-old-girl drama. (I do not miss being twelve. I miss ten-into-eleven even less—I had no friends that year—but, nope. I'll keep adulting, thanks.) Lots of gymnastics, too, which is nice—it's more than just the basic premise—but so. much. drama.
(And yet...of course I'll read the rest of the series, sooner or later.)
Anyway, the basic premise is that Brittany's parents have moved from Ohio to Texas to further Brittany's career as a gymnast—without seeking Brittany's input, apparently, although otherwise seem mostly reasonable. So Brittany's the new girl on the team, and good grief that child cannot keep her foot out of her mouth. Really, we're looking at surgical removal.
It worked fine for a book of this length and difficulty, but had it gone on much longer I think it would been a bit tiring—not tiresome, mind, but tiring. So much twelve-year-old-girl drama. (I do not miss being twelve. I miss ten-into-eleven even less—I had no friends that year—but, nope. I'll keep adulting, thanks.) Lots of gymnastics, too, which is nice—it's more than just the basic premise—but so. much. drama.
(And yet...of course I'll read the rest of the series, sooner or later.)
October 30, 2016
Winning team is a good book. It it first person narrative. A girl named Britt is telling the story. Britt moved to Texas from Ohio, she is homeschooled by her grandma. Britt is an elite gymnast. At her old gym in Ohio she was the best but at her new gym in Texas, her teammates hate her. The only teammate who is friendly to her is Jessie. Britt and Jesse become friends. Jesse tells Britt a secret, Britt promised she would never tell anybody. But when she gets invited to Christina's sleepover (her mom forced her to invite her) they were playing truth or dare and when Britt chose truth she was asked "what is your biggest secret" Brett told Jesse's secret. They get into a big fight.
In the beginning of the book and a little bit in the middle it wasn't interesting but it wasn't boring. Every time I read realistic fiction it has that effect on me. I like those books and I like this book but it's just not really interesting... I like books like the last book I read "Red Pyramid." That book had a little bit more action in it and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
In the beginning of the book and a little bit in the middle it wasn't interesting but it wasn't boring. Every time I read realistic fiction it has that effect on me. I like those books and I like this book but it's just not really interesting... I like books like the last book I read "Red Pyramid." That book had a little bit more action in it and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
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June 22, 202333. A book about an athlete/sport
Gymnastics
Gymnastics
March 6, 2012
This beginning of a new series for juveniles by Olympic gymnast Dominique Moceanu is not the strongest book but isn't terrible either.
The main character, Britt, is moving to Texas to train as an elite gymnast. Britt is a very unlikable character. It gets old that she constantly tries to do what she thinks is right in extremely wrong ways.
Another issue that I found quite annoying was consistenly mentioning the beam width. This only needs to be done once particularly since most readers will already be familiar with gymanstics.
The story moves quickly and has high points. However, this is not nearly as strong of a series as the old "Gymnasts" series.
The main character, Britt, is moving to Texas to train as an elite gymnast. Britt is a very unlikable character. It gets old that she constantly tries to do what she thinks is right in extremely wrong ways.
Another issue that I found quite annoying was consistenly mentioning the beam width. This only needs to be done once particularly since most readers will already be familiar with gymanstics.
The story moves quickly and has high points. However, this is not nearly as strong of a series as the old "Gymnasts" series.
November 20, 2017
I must admit I am not a gymnast but I was always a huge fan of the ABC's series Make It Or Break It and wanted to read a series that had the same feel to it. I must admit I got really excited when I found out that an actual gymnast co wrote this series.
The story is told from Brittany ( Britt's) point of view as the new girl in the gym and adjusting to life to Texas her new teammates and how she has to learn to grow as a person.
The plot was cute but I feel like it just needed something else . But I like it well enough to continue reading the series
The story is told from Brittany ( Britt's) point of view as the new girl in the gym and adjusting to life to Texas her new teammates and how she has to learn to grow as a person.
The plot was cute but I feel like it just needed something else . But I like it well enough to continue reading the series
October 4, 2016
Winning Team is an incredible novel that shares with you the beauty of competitive gymnastics and the tumbles you take being the new kid in a well bonded team. Everyone will enjoy Britt's quirky humour and the sacrifices she will make for her teammates even if it means she might end up alone.
You will love this inspirational story and it will set you off on an adventure through Dominique Moceanu's 'go for gold' series!
You will love this inspirational story and it will set you off on an adventure through Dominique Moceanu's 'go for gold' series!
December 19, 2012
It was really GOOD!!!!!! It has a lot of gymnastics information and it really is a good story. It is about a girl who is having trouble making new friend at her new gym. She realizes a secret and fixes a lot of things with it and other help, her relationships and helps the person who has the secret realize that she should fix her problem.
September 8, 2016
The Winning Team takes you into a heart of a competitive gymnast that has just moved to Texas. At Brittany's old gym she was the best and at the new gym she is struggling not only in gymnastics but also trying to make friends. Brittany is finding that is she saying all the wrong things and doesn't know what to do. I defiantly loved this book and would recommend it for all the gymnast out there!
April 9, 2017
This is a pretty good book about growing up. The book is short and easy to read, but is still pretty good. I enjoyed most of the characters, but at times the characters responses to situations can become a little annoying. In the characters people can recognize a little a bit of themselves. Overall the book is good for kids of younger ages, especially, those interested in gymnastics.
May 29, 2012
I really did not care for this book. Obviously I'm not the target audience for it, but I've always loved gymnastics so I thought I would enjoy it. The gymnastics stuff was cool, but the main character was way too unlikable.
November 13, 2012
This is totally a five star book for me. I just loved it! Since I'm into gymnastics right now, this was the perfect book. Britt is nervous about being a Texas Twister. There are already 3 girls who are there, Noelle, Jesie, and a snoby one named Christina.
May 23, 2013
Britt is a powerhouse!! She could do flips all day and she is nervous to go to Texas and join a competition team that she doesn't even know. When she arrives, they treat her like an outsider. Will she be able to make friends in time for the upcoming competition, or will she never regain her focus?
September 9, 2012
I LOVED it!!!
November 23, 2012
wow, this book was amazingly googd. I didn't know dominique moceanu could write so well!
October 18, 2013
I loved the book it was awesome. It wasn't all about gymnastics there was other stuff too but it was still good!
October 11, 2013
I though that this book is very good I m about to start the second book I hope that it is just as good to you as I thought it was to me
October 11, 2013
I think that any one that likes gymnastics should read this I am about to start the second book I hope it is as good as the first one oh yea my libarian said that we can read them out of order
December 26, 2013
A very interesting book that shows the bond of friendship
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September 24, 2015it was ok but still didn't get to read it
August 17, 2016
My full review of this book will soon be up on www.intogymnastics.nl
January 6, 2017
Wonderful middle grade book for girls who are interested in gymnastics.
October 14, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I wish I would've found it a few years earlier as I think it is great for 5-7 grade.
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April 4, 2022Bro this series had such a chokehold over me in middle school
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews