Alyssa’s Mom is starting a new job so the whole family is moving from remote Alaska to busy Los Angeles. When Alyssa is befriended by the junior roller derby team, she learns that ice skating is not like roller derby, just like public school is not like being home schooled by her deaf Mom. Although Alyssa’s first instinct is to bail on it all, a new girlfriend coaches her to build up her skills and her tolerance, for derby and for her new life. Alyssa learns to embrace her inner introvert and even discovers that her knowledge of ASL is celebrated by her new friends and her teammates.

Accessible verse with a high interest topic make this short novel in verse a unique title. I appreciated the inclusion of deaf characters and the centrality of ASL to the plot. I loved the derby focus, but there are a few problems with the representation of the sport: Where are the derby names? And the skates on the cover are the wrong type! As a hi lo title, the book has some problems with pacing and an abrupt ending, but I think the book's virtues outweigh its shortcomings. I especially liked the titles at the top of the page that will help struggling readers follow the story.

Thanks to West44 Books & NetGalley for providing a copy for review!

Engaging and relatable.. the prose format is crisp and to the point with no wasted words and you find yourself along for the ride of human emotions ❤️

This book was really good, it was so cool to read about the main character and her experiences as an introvert, which I can definitely relate to. I really enjoyed seeing her learn about herself and watching her grow as the story went on.

Disclaimer. I got an advanced copy of the book for review.


I find it difficult to read books. I love books. I bought a kindle to read books. I try to limit my mobile use time to read books... but it takes me a long long long time to read them. It frustrates my wife who can read 30-40 books a year easy, and I'm lucky to get through 6.

So this book, written in verse, I finished in less than a day. And this is not because its short (its only 10000 words) but because the way its written allowed me to some how get into a proper rhythm. I didnt put it down. From start to finish. And this is from someone who struggles to read comic books in one sitting.

The book itself is about a girl who has to make a new life in a new city, and finds more about herself along the way. I dont want to give too much away. Its a really fun read. I highly recommend you give it a go! I'm off to read some more novels like this. It was super fun.

Good story line, but felt under developed. Feelings of friends, school, etc. could have been added for more character depth and background info. I really liked the family dynamic represented in the story along with the deaf representation and lesson of overcoming hard situations. Great information for kids to have, just could have been communicated differently.

Transitions can be hard, as Alyssa knows all too well. When her family moves from Alaska to California, almost everything changes. This book-in-verse masterfully explores coming of age issues such as friendship, new love, and self-confidence amidst the backdrop of skating. Get schooled on roller derby with this quick, fun read,

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosen Publishing Group, West 44 Books, and C.H. Williams for the opportunity to read Sign Me Up in exchange for an honest review.

Sign Me Up is a young adult hi-lo novel-in-verse that covers a range of inclusive diversity, including LGBTQ rep, deaf rep, and a shoutout to introverts and how the world around us makes us feel (appreciated here by a fellow introvert).

Alyssa loves ice-skating in solitude at a local lake in her quiet Alaska town. When both her parents get new jobs in LA, the move is inevitable. Alyssa doesn't like a lot of people or loud noises, so she isn't sure how well she will fit in to the LA lifestyle. As the new kids, she's a hot topic, and one group has no qualms about joining her at lunch and becoming quick friends. Alyssa's mom is deaf, so Alyssa automatically signs with everything she speaks, and to her, signing is louder than vocal words. When her new friends find out, it is not something to be embarrassed of, but something to be proud of when they all want to learn from her.

Soon, Alyssa is invited  to try roller skating. With her history of ice-skating, she thinks it should be fun. But when she finds out it's much harder than ice skating, as well as loud with a lot of people involved, it gets a bit overwhelming. But Alyssa's friends, and newfound girlfriend, push her to not give up.

With exquisite poppy rhymes sprinkles throughout, Sign Me Up is a quick read with a musical jingle. The diversity of the content makes for a largely unique read as well, including the LGBT rep, deaf awareness, introversion, and the not-so-commonly seen in books topic of Roller Derby. A great novel for a young adult audience.

Chapter 1: I Kill the Engine. Final words: “I may never come back.”

And Alyssa doesn’t – at least not to Alaska.

When Alyssa’s moves from Alaska to California, the 16-year-old ice skater faces challenges of a new school (she was home schooled before), friends (she didn’t really have any before), and all the sounds of L.A. (it was pretty quiet before).

This story is jam-packed with action – it’s a roller derby! – as well as representation with a deaf mom and a budding lesbian relationship.

With themes of being an introvert, making new friends, and normalizing same-sex love, this middle grade novel is a great read. 4.5 stars!