Gold Medal Winter

Description: Esperanza Flores' place on the United States Olympic figure skating team has come at the expense of an injured skater. Now, in addition to the pressure of sudden fame and outsized expectations, Espi must deal with the resentment of her teammates and their efforts to sabotage her routine. 5 5/16 x 7 5/8.

Brief description: Donna Freitas participated in competitive gymnastics for seven years, retiring due to injury at the age of fifteen. She is now the author of seven books, including Gold Medal Summer, Gold Medal Winter, This Gorgeous Game, and The Possibilities of Sainthood, which received five starred reviews. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. Please visit her website at www.donnafreitas.com.

Review Quotes: Praise for Gold Medal Winter: "An admirable heroine navigates a difficult path to fame and fortune in a tale that will appeal to those looking for a lavish serving of romance along with an interesting backstage glimpse of the international skating world." -- Kirkus Reviews"Freitas, a former competitive gymnast, writes perceptively of behind-the-scenes drama among elite athletes, and readers will appreciate her explanations of figure skating scoring intricacies. Sure to be popular with skating fans and those following this year's Winter Olympics." -- Booklist"A cozy accompaniment to the Winter Olympics." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Readers will eagerly follow Espie's arduous and dramatic road to the Olympics and her final performance, cheering her on to the inevitable but entirely satisfying conclusion." -- School Library JournalPraise for Gold Medal Summer: "Gold Medal Summer... successfully reflects the competitive gymnast's spunk, thanks to Donna Freitas's flash[y] style and relatable protagonist." -- New York Times"Freitas offers young readers plenty to relate to: living in the shadow of a perfect older sibling, battling with parents over life's choices, and handling insecurities that make it seem like failure is looming large.... [An] enjoyable story of a girl overcoming obstacles to realize her dreams, and for readers who have dreamed of trying out the balance beam or uneven bars, Joey's story will be captivating." -- Publishers Weekly"Joey is likable and believable; even readers unfamiliar with gymnastics will identify with her friendship and first-relationship issues. Due to this year's London Olympics, this novel will probably have a wide audience. Freitas is a former competitive gymnast, and her descriptions of routines are taut and eye-opening. Although the hardships of the sport are not underplayed, this is a largely positive novel about hard work and self-confidence." -- School Library Journal