Tennis Camp diaries: Doubles disaster by Ash Barty with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin

From the team that created the very popular early readers Little Ash series comes a new series that is sure to engage young middle grade readers. The first book in the Ash Barty Tennis Camp Diaries has the title Double Disasters and is full of fun, worries, diary writing, talent quests, outdoor activities and lots of tennis.

Ten year old Ash is at her first ever tennis camp for two weeks. She is feeling nervous but finding out her roommate is Zia, an opponent from tennis competitions, helps her to feel at home. Ash and Zia make friends straight away with Richie, Nat and Ollie and Ollie is even chosen to be Ash’s doubles partner. They do not particularly gel well as doubles partners at first but work hard to make progress on how they play.

Each day, Ash writes in her secret diary about many of the things she has done and said, and how she learns something new each day. She has difficulty with a boy called Max but out on the water without one of their oars she and Max sort out their issues. Zia and Ash perform a dance at the Talent Contest and unfortunately Ash is involved in a rather abrupt ending to the contest.

This engaging and entertaining read is perfect for readers who love sport, tennis, going on camp, making new friends and having fun. Written in a similar format to other popular diary-style books, it has illustrations throughout as well as highlighted key words and phrases. Ash Barty Tennis Camp Diaries #2: Superstar is coming soon.

Themes: Ash Barty, Tennis, Secret Diary, Camp, Tournaments, Sport.

Kathryn Beilby