Victoria Jamieson has written books for kids and teaches children’s literature at Pacific Northwerst College of Art, but in her spare time, she skates with the Rose City Rollers Wreckers team under the name of Winnie the Pow. So perhaps it was just a matter of time before she wrote a graphic novel for middle-grade readers about a girls who get in touch with their deeper selves by skating around and hitting each other called "Roller Girl." The The book is also about the very messy social geometry that happens when kids move beyond their elementary school friendships.

The book became a "New York Times" best seller and recently won a Newberry Honor.

State of Wonder host April Baer sat down with Jamieson to discuss the subtle but salient messages running through the story and how much of "Roller Girl" is a reflection of her own experience.

Read the full story: http://www.opb.org/radio/article/victoria-jamieson-roller-girl