The Tryout

The Tryout is a graphic novel memoir written by Christina Soontornvat and illustrated by Joanna Cacao. Christina Soontornvat is a children’s author who has written both graphic novels and novels, delving into the realms of fantasy, fiction, and non-fiction. Several of her books were awarded Newbery Honors, and her works are heavily inspired by Thai culture and folklore, as well as the experience of being an Asian American. The Tryout was originally published in 2022 and was an Indie #1 Bestseller the same year. It also has a sequel, The Squad. This memoir focuses on The Desire to Fit In and Feel Understood through the lens of a cheerleading tryout and the beginning of middle school. Christina discovers How Growth Changes Friendship through her relationship with her best friend, and, through the tryouts and her tumultuous social experiences, grows to understand Disappointment as an Opportunity for Something Better.

This guide utilizes the Graphix/Scholastics first edition of the graphic memoir.

Content Warning: This guide contains racial slurs in reference to Christina’s direct experiences.

Plot Summary

Christina Soontornvat lives in Grangeview, Texas, with her mom and dad. Christina’s dad is Thai and immigrated to the United States when he was 19; Christina’s mom is Texan. Christina met Megan soon after moving from Dallas to Grangeview in the third grade, and they have been inseparable best friends ever since. Christina and Megan grew up together, often playing make believe games, but lately, Megan is always busy with homework and gymnastics.

Christina enters seventh grade and Venable Middle School on her own after her mother drops her off on the first day. Christina waits for her best friend, Megan, in the hallway, but Megan never shows up, so Christina rushes off to find her homeroom class. There, she sees Tobin, a boy she knows from elementary school. Tobin immediately begins mocking her and being racist. None of Christina’s new teachers can pronounce her last name, and lunch with Megan goes by far too quickly. Christina’s mom picks her up after school, and Christina notes that art class seems okay but says little else. Christina’s mom takes her to the Golden Dragon, a Chinese-style restaurant owned and run by Christina’s dad. Christina finds being at the restaurant comforting, although she initially resented it because the family had to leave Dallas to open it. 

When Christina goes to her first football game, she is amazed by the cheerleaders. They seem so confident and well-liked, and Christina wants to be just like them. When Christina makes an effort to become popular, however, she can’t seem to get it right and ends up hurting Megan when she mocks her curly hair. Christina apologizes to Megan and they make up quickly, but Christina’s emotions continue to get the best of her. She explodes at Tobin a few days later and reaches out to her mother for support in dealing with racist bullying. Christina’s mom explains that while racism is both awful and common, it is more common for people to be decent and kind. When Megan suggests trying out for the cheerleading squad, Christina imagines herself being popular and agrees to try out.

In December, the tryouts begin, and they last until March. The girls start by practicing the basics, including being loud and smiling at all times. In the next practice, Christina notices that Megan’s gymnastics skills seem to make her a natural cheerleader, and Christina determines to try harder. Megan chooses someone else to be her tryout partner, and Christina is deeply hurt but ends up partnering with a girl named Stephanie instead. Christina worries that the cheerleading tryouts could lead to her and Megan no longer being friends, and she starts to feel jealous of Megan’s skills. When Christina, Stephanie, and Megan both make it through the first round, the tension rises and Christina’s focus becomes entirely on the tryouts.

Christina and Megan practice their cheerleading moves together, but Christina can’t work up the nerve to ask Megan why she chose a different partner. Christina and her parents go back to Dallas to visit their old temple, where they pray and eat with old friends, and Christina tries to brush up on her Thai. Since there is no temple in Grangeview, Christina and her mother often go to church instead, and Christina enjoys both experiences. She likes feeling part of something bigger and feels that both Buddha and Jesus have worthwhile lessons to teach. A month before the final tryouts, Christina and Megan practice together again, and Christina finally asks why Megan chose a different partner. Megan admits that she wanted to increase her chances of being voted for to join the squad and apologizes for hurting Christina. Christina knows that she and Megan will always be friends, but she can already sense that things are changing between them.

On the day of the big tryouts, Christina wakes up and gets ready. Filled with nerves, she and the other girls line up outside the gym and await their turn to perform for the whole school. Christina and Stephanie feel well prepared, and their routine is a success. Christina leaves the gym feeling confident and proud. When the principal gathers the girls to announce the results of the vote, Christina and Megan find out that neither of them made the squad, and Megan leaves in tears. Christina spends the next few days avoiding the world and sulking but eventually reaches out to Megan, and they help one another feel better. At school the following week, Christina sits with her new friends and feels grateful to have them around.

In April, Christina decides that she needs to find her own direction and signs up for an impromptu speaking/storytelling class. She and another new friend attend the classes together and look forward to an upcoming competition. Christina is a natural and able to tell stories confidently and with humor. She wins the contest and discovers a new source of pride in herself. Sitting with her friends, both old and new, at the Golden Dragon later on, Christina reflects on how she didn’t get what she wanted but got something much better instead. She realizes that the end of cheerleading only means the beginning of something else.