Book Review: Setter Up

By Caelan Beard 

4 Stars 

Setter Up, created by Canadian author Caelan Beard, is an authentic and believable novel that stars Mackenzie, a tenth grader living in Ilderton, Ontario, with her sporty family. She is passionate about volleyball and really good at the game, but when she came out as queer, word spread fast. Next thing she knew, her teammates stopped inviting her to group activities. Fed up, she decides not to try out for the following year. Mackenzie then discovers inclusive leagues, but found none for her age group or sport. So, she decides to make one of her own.  

I enjoyed this short and sweet novel. I found it in the 'recommended by staff' section, and seeing as it is about volleyball, I decided to try it out. I could relate on a personal level with the main character because we both struggled with criticism from teammates. The only difference is that my criticism came from my dad being the coach (even though he had been for a long time prior to me making the team). I enjoy the message that Caelan Beard incorporated in the book: the inclusiveness (and lack thereof) in sports. After all, sports are supposed to be a fun activity for everyone. Another thing is that people don't realize how bad the problem is. All in all, this is a nice read with an amazing message.  

I recommend this book to those that enjoy small books with a realistic plot, and to those that enjoy volleyball. 

Reviewed by Liam 

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