YASMIN BANDARA LEVELS UP!

Comedian Ranganathan and co-author Day present a British tween gamer’s journey of self-discovery.

Yasmin Bandara learns, thanks to her best mate, Zane, that she’s a prodigy at GoalPro7, an online soccer simulator. GoalPro7 is electrifying compared to The Monkey House, which “not-very-secretly taught you maths or science while you did something borderline fun” and is the only game her parents allow Yasmin and her 10-year-old brother, Dinesh, to play. Seeing her genius, Zane loans Yasmin his console, and thus her deception of her parents begins. Soon, as a high scorer, Yasmin is invited to compete in esports conventions for both games—taking place in Birmingham, England, on the same day. The tension peaks as Yasmin must decide how to juggle these competing events, weighing commitment to her Monkey Meet-up team against her desire to excel at GoalPro7. When her parents discover her deception, they forbid her to speak to Zane or do any gaming, so Yasmin focuses on studying to fulfill her parents’ expectations that she become a doctor—until Zane makes a discovery that turns Yasmin’s fortunes around. Despite the book's slightly one-dimensional supporting characters, some overly convenient scenarios, and a too-tidy ending, readers will easily relate with the struggles of the multifaceted protagonist, who presents South Asian. The illustrations are enjoyably playful, and the fast pace and conversational tone give the work reluctant reader appeal.

Online gaming, family expectations, friendship, and honesty, explored with balance, humor, and insight.