Tamara Girardi

Gridiron Girl

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.

Publisher: Wise Wolf Books
Publication Date: March 3, 2022
ASIN: ‎ B09KZMVFML

“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

Available for order:

AMAZON

Tamara Girardi grew up playing sports with the neighborhood kids. Often the only girl, she loved nothing more than smashing a home run at the opportune moment or stealing the basketball from one of the guys and scoring two on a breakaway. In high school, she fell in love with the quarterback and played football in the back yard with him and his two quarterback brothers. Watching them play, she wondered, “What would it be like if they’d had a baby sister? Would she play quarterback, too?” And just like that, the idea for Gridiron Girl was born.

Also an academic, Tamara is an Associate Professor of English at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College where she teaches creative writing, technical writing, composition, and literature online. She has a PhD in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and studied fiction at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Tamara also writes picture books.

She lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and four adorably rambunctious children.

www.tamaragirardi.com

Tags: YA, Contemporary