Laura Sieveking, In Too Deep (The Royal Academy of Sport for Girls #3), Penguin Random House Australia, 132pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781925324624
Laura Sieveking, Running Free (The Royal Academy of Sport for Girls #4), Penguin Random House Australia, 133pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781925324648
Following on from her first book for younger readers, High Flyers, in this exciting new series for girls, Laura Sieveking continues the fiestiness and vehement nature of competitive sport in engaging and relatable ways.
A fresh set of characters, with small appearances from previous characters, allow fans of the series to both pick up any title and enjoy a new experience, or read the books in sequence and make those connections. Similar themes continue throughout, including friendship, self-confidence and drive, rivalry and jealousy. As such, the books attempt to facilitate a healthy internal dialogue and positive social interactions.
Sieveking has also given thought to offering different personalities amongst her main characters, and how each handle those challenges and successes. In #3 In Too Deep, 12-year-old Delphie Attkinson is a strong, outspoken and self-assured young swimmer. But she is never more tested than when she has to come up against her rivals during a state training camp, the indomitable Ogilvy twins from the National Swim School. Her stubbornness and insatiable appetite for winning at times causes Delphie to lose focus, but thankfully her close friends and coaches champion her talents and keep her in line. However, befriending one of the sisters reveals an unexpected scandal that Delphie needs to address, and in doing so uncovers deeper issues than what appears on the surface. Propelling middle to upper grade readers into the intense world of training and competing in the water, In Too Deep fittingly glides through an agile story of moral and ambitious pursuits.
With #4 Running Free, Josephine Ingram, or Josie, is the golden apple in her dad’s eye; a ‘cheetah’ on the track. This book certainly has its competitive elements with the characters’ penchant for out-running the others. However, Josie’s main challenge is her schoolwork, and the importance of education is the primary topic in this story. Unless the Year 7 athlete picks up her marks in the classroom, she won’t be competing in the end-of-year State Finals, nor advancing to Year 8. It is Josie’s dream to win gold. The author cleverly integrates the metaphor – Josie must overcome the challenges with her studies just like leaping over her favourite specialty of hurdles. So in order to succeed, Josie learns, with the help of her friends, effective sports-themed strategies to remember information and pass her exams. With other ‘hurdles’ thrown into the mix, including dealing with the grief of her mother’s passing and the temptation of cheating, we see Josie’s character as a strong, dignified and determined young female that sends an important message to the readers. And it’s not all about winning or being perfect; it’s about trying your best. Running Free moves at a steady pace allowing its middle grade readers time to ponder the different elements, however driving them further to want to read to the finish line.
The Royal Academy of Sport for Girls series qualifies as an engaging set of unique, individual stories with a strong connection between their themes and issues that are relatable to any sports enthusiast.
Reviewed by Romi Sharp
