05/13/2024
This animated report from journalist Stoll (Unvarnished) explores how “female, queer, bi, and nonbinary humans” have made skateboarding culture more inclusive. She traces how Marbie Miller, Alana Smith, Victoria Taylor, and Vanessa Torres became professional skaters and discusses the difficulties each has faced in a sport dominated by cis men. Smith, who came out as nonbinary in their early 20s, had trouble focusing during qualifying rounds for Olympic skateboarding because they kept getting misgendered. Nonetheless, they secured a spot in the 2021 games and became the first openly trans Olympic athlete. Elsewhere, Stoll recounts Torres’s spats with her sponsor over not wearing their branded clothing during competitions (the articles, made for boys, were too ill-fitting to skate in). After retiring due to injury, Torres started judging skateboarding contests, providing tips and encouragement to female participants. Other sections cover how Miller found community in a queer Wisconsin skate collective and how Taylor learned to cope with sexist and demeaning comments on her popular Instagram account. Stoll’s finely observed portraits will have readers rooting for the four skaters as they reshape the sport in their own image. This sticks the landing with flair and poise. Agent: Rica Allannic, David Black Literary. (July)