With the success of the Lionesses at the Women's Euros earlier this year, the release of Charligh Green vs The Spotlight was perfectly timed. It's the second book in The Dream Team series by Priscilla Mante, following on from Jaz Santos vs The World, and features several of the same characters.
Charligh Green's life revolves around her love for football and her passion for drama. She's been given the leading role in her Year 6 school performance but finds remembering the words almost impossible. They're all definitely inside her but, for some reason, they're never there when she actually needs them. She's also becoming increasingly frustrated by her apparent clumsiness on the football pitch and in her everyday life. Eventually, Charligh gets visited at school by an educational psychologist who diagnoses her with dyspraxia.
There's so much to love about Charligh Green vs The Spotlight. One of the things I enjoyed the most is the way the relationships between the main characters are explored across different settings. The intense nature of their ever-changing friendships reminded me of so many children I've taught over the years. Their loyalty, their sarcastic humour and their belief in each other all rang true as I read the book. I also liked the fact that Charligh isn't diagnosed with dyspraxia until over halfway through the story. It's part of her but, crucially, it's not what defines her; by the time she's diagnosed, we already know a lot about her personality, her friendships and what makes her tick. One of the most emotional parts of the book is Charligh's unusual relationship with a former West End theatre star living out her final years in a care home. The friendship is delicately written and gives the story an extra level of depth.
Jaz Santos vs The World was one of the most popular books in my class last year and Charligh's story is already doing the rounds. Priscilla Mante has done a wonderful job of linking the characters and storylines across the two books, and I know my class are excited by the fact that there might be a third in the series.
To find out more about dyspraxia and Dyspraxia Week 2022, which is currently taking place, do visit the Dyspraxia Foundation website. I spent time exploring it today and it made me reflect upon what else schools can do to support pupils with dyspraxia.
A huge thank you to Priscilla Mante for inviting me to be part of this blog tour. I loved revisiting the world of The Dream Team, and Charligh Green vs The Spotlight is a book I'll definitely be recommending at every opportunity.
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