(2) YA Sixteen-year-old Morgan “Moose” Shaker barely escapes the fire that destroys her beloved roller rink in small-town Utah and claims the lives of her two dads, the only out-and-proud gay couple in their conservative community. Still coming to terms with her own queer identity, Moose moves in with her older half-sister, Eden, in Portland, Oregon, where she’s surrounded by open celebration and pride. This visibility only deepens her sense of alienation: she feels not “queer enough,” too scarred (physically as well as emotionally) and too angry to belong. When Eden nudges her to join her roller-derby team, Moose finds herself drawn into a fast-paced, bruising sport that demands emotional resilience as much as physical strength—and offers both a sanctuary and a proving ground. The novel opens with gripping immediacy, then slows as Moose navigates the unfamiliar rhythms of her new life. Debut author Fisher effectively captures the sport’s grit and camaraderie while deepening Moose’s emotional world through her complicated crush on a teammate who embodies everything Moose longs to become. Exploring themes of trauma, self-acceptance, and belonging, this moving story is a raw, tender exploration of survival, identity, and the slow work of healing after loss.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2026