Shaken, James Preller
Shaken, James Preller
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Shaken

Author: James Preller

Narrator: Caitlin Davies

Unabridged: 3 hr 53 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 02/25/2025


Synopsis

Kristy Barrett is a soccer star. She's been a star since elementary school, and now is so good that she's been told she may someday make the women's Olympic team.

Everything changes in an instant, when a blow to her head during a game results in a severe concussion. It's not her first head injury, but it's the worst one she's ever had. The doctors say it will take time to recover; they don't know how long. All Kristy knows is that her team is moving on without her, and her purpose—soccer—is gone, and she doesn't know what to do, or even who she is. Her days are marked by pain and panic attacks.

Through two unexpected new friendships and insightful therapists, Kristy starts to rebuild her life. The question is, will her new life include soccer?

Sports injuries are a reality of competitive play, for both male and female athletes. Here is a story that athletes and other listeners will relate to as they navigate middle-school and their own identities.


About James Preller

James Preller is the author of several acclaimed standalone novels, including Better off Undead, The Courage Test, The Fall, Bystander, and Six Innings, as well as the Jigsaw Jones and Scary Tales chapter book series. He lives in Delmar, New York, with his family.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Sally on September 15, 2024

Kristy's world is all about soccer. She's only thirteen, but she is already playing at the varsity level. Everyone says she'll probably win national awards and maybe play at the Olympic level someday. Soccer is on her mind as soon as she wakes in the morning and fills her dreams at night. She doesn't......more

Goodreads review by Josephine on June 11, 2024

Kristy Barrett’s life is soccer. She lives and breathes soccer every minute of the day and is always with her beloved soccer ball. And, she has been a star since elementary school, and now is so good that she's been told she may someday make the women's Olympic team. Middle schoolers Lristy has been......more

Goodreads review by Lisa on June 22, 2025

3.5 stars Good sports selection. About a 7th grade soccer phenom who is injured with a severe concussion. It takes her out of the sport and as she recovers, she struggles to define herself as more than an athlete. Good description of concussion and its impacts as well as pervasive anxiety. Her parent......more

Goodreads review by Donna on August 29, 2024

I recieved a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it. How do you go from being at the top of your game, to not even being on the bench? Kristy is good at soccer. So good that she's a top high school varsity player in 7th grade. So good that she's been scouted for the Nationa......more

Goodreads review by Hilary on April 05, 2025

This is a beautifully-written book that tweens and young teens will love, whether they play competitive sports or not. Though it is absolutely about soccer in all its glory and a 13-year-old girl's prolonged, destabilizing concussion that results from that, it is also about the universal experience......more