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TFK Reads: My Corner of the Ring

BOOK: STEPHEN BLUE FOR TIME FOR KIDS

My Corner of the Ring is a memoir written by 12-year-old boxer Jesselyn Silva. Jesselyn started boxing at age 7. She’s one of only a few girls who box competitively in the United States.

My Corner of the Ring is one of TFK’s 10 recommended reads this summer. After we made our picks, we handed them off to our team of TFK Kid Reporters to get their take. Here, TFK Kid Reporter Alana Cho shares her review.

We’ll be posting reviews each Tuesday, all summer long. Check back next week to read about Dragon Pearl, by Yoon Ha Lee.

Line Break

In the boxing ring, Jesselyn Silva goes by the name JessZilla. Jesselyn is young, but she’s already a trailblazer for female boxers. In My Corner of the Ring, she recounts the highs and lows of her life and boxing career.

Jesselyn shows constant strength, determination, and passion for her sport, even when it feels like the universe is telling her no. She breaks down gender stereotypes and provides a positive role model for other girls.

I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody. It has a captivating plot. Jesselyn’s story shows that the greatest and most precious things in life—like family and integrity—are more important than winning and success.

Everyone can benefit from reading about Jesselyn’s down-to-earth nature and logical approach to stressful situations. I enjoyed the story line and appreciate the book’s message. My Corner of the Ring is a story of feminism, bravery, and passion in a male-dominated sport.