Erin Becker Author
Erin Becker Author
Photo credit: Tina Leu
Erin Becker is an Iowan author living in Washington, DC. Her debut novel, Crushing It, is out now from Penguin Young Readers. It’s Bend It Like Beckham + “enemies-to-first-crushes” for the preteen set––but adults will love it too.
Cover art: Ricardo Bessa
Crushing It: an “action-packed but tender debut”
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
On the soccer field, Magic Mel is in her element. She’s ready to lead her team to victory at the city championship in her new role as captain. Off the field, however, is a totally different story. Mel can’t get a handle on her class presentation, her friend group has completely dissolved, and her ex-friend-current-teammate, Tory, is being the worst. The only place she feels like herself is in her text conversations where she shares her secret poetry with BTtoYouPlease.
Tory McNally, on the other hand, is keeping everything together, thank you very much. So what if her mom is more preoccupied with her craft projects and new husband than her, or that she’s down to one IRL friend because of annoying, overly peppy “Magic” Mel? She’s perfectly fine, and even when she maybe isn’t, she’s got NotEmilyD to text with.
As the championships loom closer, everything around Mel and Tory starts to get more and more complicated: the dynamics on the field, the rift between their friend group, and, as they connect anonymously online, maybe even their feelings for each other . . .
Crushing It Reviews
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"Dynamic, touching, and authentic... Becker has convincingly captured the all-over-the-map feelings of middle-school relationships and created characters who are complex, sincere humans."
Shelf Awareness (Starred Review)
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“Two eighth grade soccer players manage messy families, fractured friendship, and confusing feelings in Becker’s charming debut, a delight for fans of realistic, emotionally deep novels. Becker lines up relatable problems and believably conflicted choices alongside a tender, slow-building romance and intense soccer matches.”
Publisher’s Weekly
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“Affirming family and friends surround the main characters as they struggle with changing relationships and insecurities about their identities. Fluttering romantic tension and fast, suspenseful pace…an engaging premise.”
Kirkus Reviews
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"Builds natural suspense and excitement...this fun, enemies-to-lovers lesbian middle-grade plot should appeal to fans and non-fans of soccer alike."
Booklist
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"Short, fast paced chapters filled with dialogue show the honest and raw sides of middle school friendships, growth, and identity... An authentic, character driven look at self doubt and identity."
School Library Journal
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“Erin Becker’s Crushing It is an exceptional debut that explores the way friendships change during middle school. Mel and Tory are relatable characters, and their stories weave together so perfectly as both girls find their voices and footing, on the soccer field and off. This book has my whole heart and will resonate with so many readers.”
A. J. Sass, award-winning author of Ellen Outside the Lines and Ana on the Edge
Press for Crushing It
School Library Journal
Erin wrote about romance and crushes in middle school books for School Library Journal’s Teen Librarian Toolbox.
The Washingtonian
Crushing It got a shout-out in The Washingtonian in an article about an effort to highlight local writers in DC.
The Nerd Daily
The Nerd Daily featured an excerpt of Crushing It to celebrate the book’s launch.
LGBTQ+ Reads Most Anticipated
LGBTQ+ Reads put Crushing It on their list of Most Anticipated books for July–December 2024.
Publisher’s Weekly
Publisher’s Weekly interviewed Erin for an article about books featuring LGBTQ+ middle schoolers experiencing crushes.
Author’s Guild
The Author’s Guild spoke with Erin for a Member Spotlight celebrating her debut.
Middle Grade Matters Podcast
Erin joined the Middle Grade Matters Podcast, hosted by Shannon Balloon, to discuss children’s literature and the writing life.
Kidlit Love Podcast
Erin appeared on the Kidlit Love Podcast, hosted by Stephanie Affinito, to discuss the inspiration behind Crushing It.
YA Books Central
YA Books Central interviewed Erin and hosted an exclusive giveaway of Crushing It.
The Queer Words Podcast
Wayne Goodman interviewed Erin about her new book for the Queer Words Podcast.
Shepherd
Erin wrote about the best books with LGBTQ+ romance and crushes for middle schoolers.
BookCrushin
Erin wrote a guest post on queer representation in middle grade literature.
LGBTQ+ Reads Cover Reveal
LGBTQ+ Reads hosted Crushing It’s exclusive cover reveal.
Brightly
Brightly included Crushing It on a list of recommended LGBTQ+ books for tweens.
Pop! Goes the Reader
Pop Goes the Reader featured Crushing It on its list of most anticipated middle grade books for the second half of 2024.
Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Erin shared her “Top Ten Addictions” on the Feed Your Fiction Addiction blog alongside their review of Crushing It.