Books

“The main character is so endearing – kids will immediately empathize with her desire to make friends and be heard. A wonderful, heartfelt ending to remind us about the power of friendship.”

“As a mother of a child with social anxiety, the difficulty in speaking up, the concern about what people will think when you do, the sadness at not fitting in, all make this sweet story very relatable. This is a great book for teaching kids about speaking up for oneself and for others.”

“Abigale’s brave, selfless act in the climax rounds out this soaring success of a story, while educational backmatter about puffins adds enough depth to Abigale’s world that kids will surely flock to their library to learn even more about these beautiful birds!”

“Well-drawn, sympathetic characters and the developing spark between Amy and Craig combine to create a pleasant, satisfying read.” —Kirkus

“Strykowski lovingly captures seaside Maine and the travails of adolescence in her quiet, sweet-natured debut novel.”—Publishers Weekly

“Readers will cheer her on, and her splendid team, too.” —Booklist

“Call Me Amy is a powerful read that should prove so very hard to put down, highly recommended.”—Midwest Book Review

“Amy is a reliable narrator and easily relatable.” —School Library Journal

“Infused with a strong sense of place, this 1970s-set novel…will have appeal for Amy’s fellow animal lovers.”—Horn Book Guide

“Having all the ingredients of first love, faith, loss and strength makes ‘Amy’ unforgettable.”  —Feathered Quill

“Every once in a while, a book comes along that you just can’t put down. This book draws you in so deeply, you just have to keep reading. Set in the 1970s, it is a heartwarming story of friendship and coming of age. The story is well-developed and has enough twists and turns to keep even a reluctant reader interested.” —Library Media Connection

“A great story about friendship and doing what you think is right.” —KidsBookShelf

“This is a story filled with many elements that will appeal to younger readers and I highly recommend it.”—BookViews.com

“A messagey, feel-good story to be sure (make good choices, stand up to the crowd, help the underdog), but there is a unique charm here, too, and a quiet affirmation that what teens do matters.”—Booklist

“This companion novel picks up a few weeks after the events in Call Me Amy and continues Amy’s story. This is a gentle read with the most controversial issue being underage smoking. All the issues addressed here are wrapped up by the end of the novel and Amy is happy with her choices”—School Library Journal

“Amy’s Choice depicts the satisfying tale of love, hope, friendship, and life choices. …unforgettable characters throughout the story, leaving the readers with a sweet-natured feeling of the power of believing in one’s self.”—San Francisco Book Review

“Amy’s voice in the novel is bang-on brilliant. Strykowski has established herself as a stronghold in Children’s Lit.”—Jorie Loves a Story

“A great read that will appeal to readers of any age, I think the characters are relatable and endearing. A fantastic tale of friendship with plenty of meaning, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish.”—Roxie’s Reviews

“Calm, pleasant, decidedly “clean”….”—Kirkus

“For those readers who met this amazing cast of characters in Call Me Amy, you will be thrilled with this follow-up. This author is one of those rare gems who not only loves to write, but the library is a part of her life, and the reader can most certainly tell. The characters of Amy, Finn, Cat, Ricky and so on, are believable and unforgettable, which makes this a true ‘Coming of Age’ story, but with entertainment, fun, friendship, and even a mystery that must be solved.”—Feathered Quill Book Reviews

“This book did not disappoint. Great, believable characters, a suspenseful plot and some great life lessons hidden in amongst the fun. I will be recommending this to all of my young friends.” —Jill G.

“The characters are relatable and deal with universal issues. As a children’s librarian, I look forward to putting Roller Boy in the hands of many young patrons.” —Patty F.

“One boy’s journey toward confronting the skeptical voices in his life, both internal and external, and ultimately overcoming them, are at the heart of this entertaining and genuinely heartwarming novel by Marcia Strykowski. It’s a warm and skillfully told story about a boy navigating the confusing waters of middle-school insecurities, bullies, competitors, and a particularly annoying gluten allergy. Highly recommended.” —Josh R.

“Wonderfully written and powerfully messaged, this book zings with delight at every turn of the page.” —Adaela M.

“From beginning to end, Roller Boy is pure joy. Author Marcia Strykowski is a master at capturing the middle school voice and bringing main character Mateo Garcia to life. You can’t help but cheer him on as he navigates through disappointments, dangers, unexpected opportunities, and ultimately triumph. The writing and pacing are flawless, making this a great classroom read. I can’t recommend it enough!” —Laura C.

“Roller Boy is well written, poignant and compelling. Mateo is the kind of main character that you wish you could hang out with in person. He wants more than anything to be on the baseball team, but when he doesn’t make the team, he discovers a new talent. Marcia Strykowski does a great job of getting inside the head of a middle school boy and showing the complexities of his feelings about life. The book addresses friendship, bullies, crushes, talents, family relationships, poverty, single parents, and more. I highly recommend this for boys and girls of all ages.” —Kirsti C.

“Roller Boy is a fun and heartwarming story about a young boy growing up and finding his place in his community. As a former skater, I loved dipping into this world of jumps, spins, and shoot-the-ducks. It brought back so many wonderful rink-side memories! As a librarian, I was happy to see a younger middle grade novel that will appeal to both boys and girls alike. Mateo is a funny, witty character readers will instantly relate to as he navigates normal thirteen-year-old problems like making friends, getting cut from the team, dealing with unfortunate nicknames and bullies on the block–even handling serious food allergies. The thing that really sets this book apart, though, is its heart. Mateo’s journey from self-conscious benchwarmer to someone who’s proud to call himself Roller Boy is remarkable. Kids will love this book!” —Rebecca M.

“Strykowski is pitch-perfect with Mateo’s voice, and her insights into the mind of a thirteen-year-old boy are humorous and poignant, a tribute to her writing skill which is demonstrated in all of the believably-drawn characters. Her exciting and fluid descriptions of the skating scenes make one want to lace on a pair of skates and take to the roller rink. Young readers will be encouraged to have hope for their own dreams, despite having to deal all the angst that accompanies middle school existence. Wit, insight, and heart are paramount in this enjoyable read!” —Margo S.

“Roller Boy is hard to put down and exciting to the end. Join Mateo and friends as they cruise through everyday roller-skating practice to their chance at the tournaments. Highly recommended!” —Michelle E.