Raise the Bar: A Graphic Novel - by Fernanda Frick H (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A graphic novel about one girl's weightlifting dreams and how far she'll go for them.

"Frick's drawings are simple but detailed and ­nuanced, recalling the work of Raina ­Telgemeier . . . An inspiring story of athletic challenge and the struggle to excel, highly recommended for upper ­elementary and middle school readers." --School Library Journal

Sam Sanchez might not have a coach or proper equipment, but she's going to become Chile's first weightlifting gold medalist. She just knows it.

When there's an opportunity to train at the high-performance center with her weightlifting hero and Olympic gold medalist Eva Dos Santos . . . well, Sam can't let that opportunity pass. Even if it means going behind her parents' back.

As she makes friends (and a rival) during training and tries to qualify for the Pan American Games, she'll find out how far hard work and perseverance can take her and just how much weight she's able to hold.

Review Quotes

★ "[An] exceptional debut . . . Emotive cartooning rendered using bold lines and vibrant saturated hues captures the precise fluid motions and kinetic atmosphere of Sam's intense training. Appealing, distinctly wrought characters, portrayed with various abilities, body types, and skin tones, energize the story's organic emotion, humor, and action. It all combines into a gold-medal performance." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review

★ "Sam's journey is engaging from the start; much like watching a sports competition, readers will be on the edge of their seats wondering if she's going to place or lose. This debut features a fantastic supporting cast of primarily Latin American teens competingin a variety of sports, all facing emotional and physical challenges of their own. Vibrant colors and shading help exemplify emotional moments, and darker, sketchier scenes capture inner turmoil. Dynamic movement is of course well-captured in the variety of sports in the story. Sam's emotional journey embodies the true meaning of being a good sport and striving for goals--a surefire win for fans of Johnny Christmas' Swim Team." --Booklist, starred review

"Frick's drawings are simple but detailed and ­nuanced, recalling the work of Raina ­Telgemeier . . . An inspiring story of athletic challenge and the struggle to excel, highly recommended for upper ­elementary and middle school readers." --School Library Journal

"Sam's story will resonate with readers who have ambitious goals or struggle with burnout, whether they're athletes or not. The expressive illustrations have dynamic panel layouts that keep readers engaged while emphasizing emotional beats that are enhanced by the varied, glowing color palette . . . A resonant, motivational story about determination and the importance of a healthy work ethic." --Kirkus

About the Author

Fernanda Frick is an animation director, storyboarder, illustrator and comic artist. "Here's the Plan", her 4th short-film, was selected in various festivals around the world including Nashville International Film Festival, SANFIC, Chilemonos, Anima Mundi, CICFF and the Premios Quirino. It won the Jury Prize at SIGGRAPH ASIA . It was also long-listed for the 2017 Academy Awards. In 2019, she published "Trazos", her first graphic novel with Editorial Planeta and had a series project in development with Netflix. Currently, she manages her independent animation studio FFrick Studio.