Rockstar Tours: JIU-JITSU GIRL (Jennifer Dutton), Guest Post & Giveaway! ~US ONLY

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the JIU-JITSU GIRL by Jennifer Dutton Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out
my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: JIU-JITSU GIRL

Author: Jennifer Dutton

Pub. Date: January 22, 2023

Publisher: North Star Editions

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 256

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/JIU-JITSU-GIRL 

What’s more terrifying than being forced into a coed combat wrestling
martial art by your own mother? Sixth grade.

Angie Larson hates Jiu-Jitsu. Like many twelve-year-old girls, she fails to
find the glamour in a martial art that embraces zero personal space and choking
as an end goal. Seriously, people choke her, drip sweat on her face, and even
wrap their legs around her neck. It’s the worst. Instead, she idolizes the
seemingly perfect kids at her school who do “normal” activities like dance or
soccer. But just when it seems like Angie is about to be accepted by them, her
mom enrolls her in a Jiu-Jitsu tournament and begins a relationship with the
sweatiest coach on the planet. And to make things more complicated, Angie
develops a close friendship with a boy who is definitely not part of the “cool”
crowd.

Angie must decide who she is while making some painful decisions both on and
off the mat. Is she a dance girl, a soccer girl, a nothing girl . . . or a
Jiu-Jitsu girl?

Reviews:

“Dutton graciously explores how
being brave means being yourself with the power to own up to your mistakes and
stand up for others in times of need.” —The Bulletin of the Center for
Children’s Books

“This is a positive journey to true friendship and self-confidence,
certain to appeal to martial arts fans.” —School Library Journal

“A fun read from cover to cover. . . .Certain to be an immediate and
enduringly popular addition to elementary school, middle school, and community
library collections.” —Midwest Book Review

Guest Post:

Book Dream Cast

Angie: Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega, who played Harley in Disney’s Stuck in the Middle and Wednesday in Netflix’s aptly named show, Wednesday, would be a good pick for this role. Angie is precocious with a quick wit, yet is sensitive and vulnerable. Jenna could definitely play this role to perfection.

Carter: Finn Wolfhard

Finn Wolfhard, best known for playing Mike Wheeler on Netflix’s Stranger Things, would be a great fit as Carter. He strikes a perfect balance of quirky, smart, and confident.

Ainsley: Peyton List

Ainsley can be cold and mean while also being incredibly stylish. There’s only one person who can play this role—Peyton List. Combine the character Emma Ross from Disney’s Bunk’d and Jessie, and her role as Tory Nichols on Netflix’s Cobra Kai, and you’ve got a winner, winner, chicken dinner.

Jade: Millie Bobby Brown

Naturally, when I think of a confident girl with a buzz-cut that can kick some serious booty—Eleven from Netflix’s Stranger Things comes to mind. This girl can levitate a car with her mind. She’s definitely in.

Jack:

Tanner Buchanan is a good consideration for the role of Jack. He played Robby Keene in Netflix’s Cobra Kai, and has a background in marital arts. I could definitely see him pushing up his meticulously coiffed hair back in place after taking another kid down on the mat. Someone contact his agent.

Devaansh: Karan Brar (Bunk’d, Jessie-Disney)

Karan Brar played Ravi Ross in Disney’s Bunk’d and Jessie. Like Devaansh, he’s a bit of a goofball but has a good head on his shoulders. I could definitely see him doing the worm on the Jiu-Jitsu mat. Karan Brar for the win.

Angie’s Mom, Norma: Cerina Vincent

Cerina Vincent played Jenna Ortega’s mother in Disney’s Stuck in the Middle and their chemistry was on point. She can be loving while giving the mom stink eye. Just throw some white crocs and scrubs on this woman and she’s good to go (Angie’s mom is a nurse😉).

Coach Sweaty Paws: Dwayne Johnson

I mean, do I really need to explain this one? Dwayne Johnson is The Rock. He’s huge. He’s in Under Armour ads. He’s a former wrestler. He’s super funny and has big, shiny teeth. Definitely Coach Sweaty Paws material.

Top 5 Favorite Movies

Mean Girls

Who doesn’t love the movie Mean Girls? Produced in 2004 and staring Lindsay Lohan, this one is a classic—it’s even been turned into a musical. Lohan plays 16-year-old Cady Heron who returns to the United States after twelve years in Africa. She’s thrust into an American high school where she tries to find her place among various cliques. I love Cady’s character arc as she figures out who she is, and the hilarious (and gut-wrenching!) twists and turns along the way.

The Karate Kid (2010)

All of the Karate Kid movies are great, but I particularly like the updated remake of the classic. Produced in 2010, it stars Jaden Smith. Jaden’s character, Dre, is bullied at school after he and his mother move to China where he struggles to fit in. He finds his way when he is mentored by Mr. Han, the maintenance manager of the apartment where he lives with his mother. Mr. Han teaches him the martial art, Kung Fu, where he learns more than he could imagine. The Karate Kid is one of my favorite movies because it involves martial arts, an interesting location (China!), and learning how to stand up for one’s self.

Tall Girl

Tall Girl is a great find on Netflix, and stars Ava Michelle as a 6-foot-1 teenager named Jodi. It hilariously depicts Jodi’s journey as she conquers her insecurities about her height while navigating a love triangle in high school. I love the journey toward self-love in this movie, plus it’s an interesting topic to explore. The idea that to be attractive as females we must check certain boxes—including our height. Who get’s to decide the criteria that defines beauty? Interesting premise, enjoyable movie.

Dumplin’

Dumplin’ is another great find on Netflix, and is based on a young adult fiction book by that same name. The protagonist is named Willowdean Dickson, and her nickname is “Dumplin.” She’s the plus-size, teenage daughter of a former beauty queen. Dumplin’ and her mom couldn’t be more different, and it all comes to a head when Dumplin’ signs up for her mom’s beauty pageant in protest. Her efforts to show the town, and her mother, that beauty comes in many different forms is one of the main topics explored in this film. I really like this movie because the main character is strong from the get-go. She’s not afraid to challenge social norms in her community to make a change.

Wonder

Who doesn’t love the move Wonder? Like some of my other favorite movies, it’s also based on a fantastic book by the same name.  Auggie, played by Jacob Tremblay, was born with facial differences that make him look very unique from other children. Auggie’s mother has homeschooled Auggie until he enters public school in the fifth grade. Wonder depicts Auggie’s journey as he integrates into this new community—the moments of compassion and friendship, as well as the moments of fear, rejection, and sorrow. I truly love this movie, as it teaches us through Auggie’s example how to live with an open heart full of empathy and an appreciation of other’s differences.

About Jennifer Dutton:

Jennifer Dutton is an author of middle grade fiction, a teacher, and a ninja. At the
ripe old age of seven she started selling original manuscripts in lieu of
lemonade at a neighborhood stand. This tendency progressed to a career writing
in the finance industry. In need of a dramatic career change, Jennifer earned a
master’s degree in education and has since worked in a variety of elementary
and middle grade classrooms where she has the privilege of being a keen
observer of the life experience. Her writing reflects the diversity and
resilience she witnesses firsthand. After wrestling with kids during the day,
she spars with adults at night. She is a black belt in taekwondo and a
practitioner of mixed martial arts.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

Giveaway Details:

5 winners will receive a finished copy of JIU-JITSU GIRL, US Only.

Ends March 28th, midnight EST.

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