User:Isabelle Belato/The Tryout

The Tryout is a graphic memoir written by Christina Soontornvat and illustrated by Joanna Cacao. Published on November 1, 2022 by Scholastic's imprint Graphix, it tells the story of a teenage Christina, daughter of a Taiwanese immigrant, trying to fit in a mostly white school as she attempts to become a cheerleader.

Reception
Kirkus Reviews called The Tryout a "a funny, relatable, and genuine story of friendship", and praised Cacao's art style. They also commented on how the more lighthearted moments don't take away from Christina's "experiences with racism and exclusion." Thomas Maluck, who reviewed for the School Library Journal, talked about Soontornvat's time growing up in America as the daugther of an immigrant, and how this and other experiences "come through loud and clear across several characters". Maluck also noted how the memoir's art was capable of capturing those emotions.

A starred review for Publishers Weekly called the book's climax "genuinely nail-biting", and gave praise to Cacao's use of "emotive close-ups", which helped in conveying Christina's feelings throughout the story.