McKenna
written by Mary Casanova
illus. by Sarah Davis
American Girl, 2011
Paperback: 978 – 1593699949
128 pages
McKenna, Ready to Fly!
written by Mary Casanova
illus. by Sarah Davis
American Girl, 2011
Paperback: 978 – 1593699956
128 pages
McKenna
McKenna, Ready to Fly!
written by Mary Casanova
illustrated by Brian Hailes
Meet McKenna Brooks. McKenna has always done well in school and in gymnastics, but when she starts fourth grade, school suddenly feels really hard. When her teacher suggest she get a tutor, McKenna is horrified — until she gets to know her tutor, Josie, who is super smart and confident, and who also happens to be in a wheelchair.
With Josie’s help, McKenna’s confidence grows, but she can’t bring herself to tell her friends that she’s being tutored. When they discover her secret, they’re hurt and angry. Then something goes wrong at the gym that sidelines McKenna. Will she find her way back to the sport she loves? And will her friendships ever be the same again?
McKenna is a feature length movie! You can watch a trailer below. The full movie is available on various streaming services
McKenna (Book 1)
McKenna has always excelled at school and in gymnastics, but now that she’s entering fourth grade, school suddenly feels hard to her. When McKenna’s teacher suggests she get a reading tutor, she’s horrified — until she gets to know her tutor, Josie, who is super-confident and who also happens to be in a wheelchair. Josie helps McKenna realize that what might seem like a giant roadblock is really just a series of small obstacles that can be overcome one by one, day by day. McKenna’s confidence starts to blossom, but then something happens at the gym that sidelines her completely. Will she recover in time to join the competitive team in the spring?
McKenna, Ready to Fly! (Book 2)
McKenna still has a long way to go if she’s going to make the competitive gymnastics team in March. She’s doing better in school, thanks to Josie’s tutoring, so when Josie needs help facing her fear of horseback riding, McKenna signs up for the job. Only that causes friction with her teammate Toulane, who seems jealous of McKenna’s newfound friendship with Josie. When McKenna discovers the real root of Toulane’s anger, she desperately wants to help her teammate. But how can McKenna cheer on Josie at the riding center, AND support Toulane at the gym, and still work toward her own goal of making the competitive team? McKenna’s torn loyalties lead to some discoveries about the power of believing in yourself and encouraging one another.
Curriculum Information
American Girl is pleased to introduce you and your students to McKenna, the 2012 Girl of the Year. McKenna Brooks is an energetic girl living in Seattle, Washington. McKenna has always excelled at school and in gymnastics, but now that she’s entering fourth grade, school suddenly feels difficult to her. When her teacher suggests she get a reading tutor, McKenna is horrified — until she gets to know her tutor, Josie, who is super confident and who also happens to be in a wheelchair. Josie helps McKenna realize that what might seem like a giant roadblock is really just a series of small obstacles that can be overcome one by one, day by day.
