Last gamer standing - Katie Zhao

Ready Player One meets the action of battle
royale video games in this middle-grade sci-fi perfect for fans of
Fortnite.

To twelve-year-old Reyna Cheng, gaming is everything, so she's
thrilled to have the opportunity to attend a gaming summer
camp courtesy of Dayhold - the world's biggest VR battle
royale game.

Reyna is an up-and-coming junior amateur gamer but despite her
rising popularity and skills online, no one knows that behind her
male avatar is a twelve-year-old Chinese American girl. Gaming
is still a boys' club and to protect her true identity against trolls
and their harassment, she plays as the mysterious TheRuiNar.

When Reyna qualifies for the Dayhold Junior Tournament, she knows
she's got what it takes to win the championship title and the
$10,000 prize. It's a chance to make a step forward towards her
professional esports dreams and to help her family with the costs
of her mother's hospital bills.

But when she's blackmailed and her identity is threatened to be
revealed by an anonymous troll, Reyna has to confront the toxic
gaming community head-on.

With her dreams and the cash prize on the line, it's game on!

• Gaming has never been more popular with the tournament in the
  book reflecting real tournaments such as the Fortnite World Cup


• Fantastic representation of a Chinese-American character from
  an own voices author


• Exhilirating, heartracing experience - Reyna's perspective lets
  you feel like you're playing the game yourself!

REVIEWS OF LAST GAMER STANDING

Emotional depth and nuanced representation level up this action-packed,
futuristic page-turner. - Kirkus Reviews

Combining ruthless online rivalry and real-life dilemmas, Zhao
(How We Fall Apart) pushes her inspirational heroine to
the limit in the pursuit of success, validation, and financial security.
An insular-feeling first-person narration underlines how
Reyna's intense focus in the high-pressure environment can leave
her feeling isolated. - Publishers Weekly

A fantastic and relevant addition to children's literature, in
a world where e-sports is just as popular as traditional sports,
younger readers and gamers everywhere will love this gem of a book.
- The Quiet Pond