RAISE THE BAR

A young Chilean weightlifter tries to balance passion with heavy expectations.

Samanta Sánchez is driven by her blazing obsession with weightlifting. Her parents disapprove—“All you get are bruised hands, sore muscles (that get bigger every day)…and no space for friends or any normal hobbies!”—but nothing diminishes Sam’s dedication, especially once she’s recruited by her idol, Eva Dos Santos, the first Latin American weightlifter to win Olympic gold. She qualifies to train at the Brazilian athlete’s High Performance Center of Corazón with champions from around the Americas in preparation for the Pan American Games in a year’s time. Sam has a tense relationship with her roommate, a privileged white girl from the U.S. who, unlike Sam, has had access to formal training. She also struggles with self-doubt and the pressure of proving herself to her family, pushing herself too hard and losing sight of her life beyond sports. Sam’s story will resonate with readers who have ambitious goals or struggle with burnout, whether they’re athletes or not. The expressive illustrations have dynamic panel layouts that keep readers engaged while emphasizing emotional beats that are enhanced by the varied, glowing color palette. Sam develops more muscle tone as the story goes on, subtly indicating her personal and athletic growth. Her moments of insecurity are accompanied by shifts to a more messy, chaotic artistic style, immersing readers in her mental state.

A resonant, motivational story about determination and the importance of a healthy work ethic.