Junior gymnast Tara has a lot to juggle when she’s asked to take part in a regional competition. There are all the moves to learn with her partner Lindsay, but Tara has just started secondary school too. Fitting in gym practice and homework is difficult, and doesn’t leave much time for anything else, such as seeing her other friends. Janes Lawes does a great job at describing the rewards of following a sport, as well as the challenges, and readers will be happy to see that Tara finds a way to achieve balance between her sport, friends and school. A satisfying story that is good on the thrills and spills of competition.
Tara has been entered into her first ever gym competition and she's desperate to win. But she's so busy learning the tricky routine that she doesn't have time for her best friends. When they all fall out, Tara realises that her friends are more special than any medal. Can she find a way to make up with them and follow her gym star dreams?
Jane Lawes studied American Literature and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia and started a PGCE in primary education, before deciding that her real passion lay in books. She currently works in publishing by day, and author by night and weekends.
Like Tara in Gym Stars I dreamed of becoming a world-class gymnast and joined my local gym club. Tara’s story reminds me of my early days of training and the thrill of entering my first big competition. I hope you enjoy reading about Tara as much as I have and if you want to become a gym star too – go for it! With focus, talent and dedication your dreams really can come true…