The book opens up in the most mild manner way - Bliss Cavendar talking about how she assumes that she is really adopted - there is no way she is the daughter of pageant mom, Brooke, or the non-confrontational father, Earl. Born and being raised in Bodeen, Texas - and hour's drive from Austin, yet vastly left behind in the modern age - Bliss thinks of nothing but escape. Her best friend Pash, a straight-A honor student, also dreams of escape in different ways. Together they wreck havoc - as much as is possible in Bodeen. During a family shopping trip, however, Bliss picks up a flier for a Roller Derby match. Begging Pash to take her, the two encounter a world full of misfit girls and hot boys. Heaven for the achingly different Bliss Cavendar, an absolute hell on earth for mother Brooke.

The book is written with true knowledge of the subject, toned down just a tad. Just a tad. Having met and seen Roller Derby girls - women - in action while reporting on The South Texas Rolleristas, I know how completely intimidating these people can be, but how awesomely sweet they are in reality. It makes sense since Cross has partaken in the sport where no man is woman enough to play - see what I did there? The book offers little challenge as an adult - it took me a few days to read because I made an attempt to pace myself with it - and I imagine it wouldn't be too hard for its target audience to knock it out of the park. But it's still an in depth look of how teenagers felt, feel and will probably always feel in the future. So lace up those skates, amigos, you're in for a ride.

God, that was such a horrible way to end that. Seriously. ( )

Because the Whip It trailer made me laugh and laugh and laugh and then get the hiccups. I wanted to see if the book would do the same.

It didn't draw me in, so it took me a long while to finish, but I ended up super smiley at the end. I thought it was a fluffy, predictable story, the resolution a bit too pat, but for all that the ending was very satisfying to read. Also Bliss' voice read as so teenagery it hurt. ( )

Technically, the edition I own was renamed Whip It in honour of the movie. But that doesn't matter. What matters is how good this book is. I really can relate to the main character, Bliss Cavender. And the writing is great. ( )

I blew through this book in one night, that's how captivating and terrific Bliss' whip-smart, funny voice is. (If this were in audio, I can hear "Juno" actress Ellen Page with a slight Texas accent.) Bliss desperately seeks her niche in a small Texas town of limited opportunities (which include the beauty pageants her mother pushes her into). Her teen frustration rings true as she longs to be a part of something meaningful while still maintaining her identity. Her best friendship with Pash is a joy; female teen readers will want to be part of their circle. The book is at its best when Bliss discovers roller derby and joins the team, but lags when she spends time with her new rocker boyfriend. Their breakup is predictable and the family resolution/big finish is straight out of Hollywood (the author is a screenwriter). But these are minor quibbles in what's otherwise a rockin' good read. ( )

This was a fun read. Bliss' mom is trying to have Bliss live out her dreams of beauty queen stardom. But Bliss is more punk rock then beauty queen. She has trouble fitting into her small town, but her friends Pash and Birdman are enough for her. Then she discovers roller derby and Oliver. She loses her way a little bit over the boy thing, but in the end keeps her life together. Her voice is very true, and the majority of the derby details are accurate (although maybe bank track derby is different then flat track...) Well worth the read and I hope everyone who reads it comes away with the same love of derby I have. ( )