About the Book and Author
Set in the future this story is about a world where everyone plays esports and the best players enjoy celebrity status. Children train from a young age to be good at playing computer games as a competitive sport.
For twelve-year-old Reyna Cheng gaming is everything. She is the up-and-coming junior amateur Dayhold gamer, competing in a VR battle royale against AI monsters and human players. Despite Reyna’s rising popularity and skills, no one knows who she is. Gaming is still a boys’ club and to protect herself against trolls and their harassment, she games 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.
Katie Zhao is a 2017 graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English and Political Science, and a 2018 Masters of Accounting at the same university. She is the author of THE DRAGON WARRIOR series (Bloomsbury Kids), HOW WE FALL APART (Bloomsbury Kids), LAST GAMER STANDING (Scholastic), forthcoming THE LIES WE TELL (Bloomsbury Kids), and forthcoming WINNIE ZENG series (Random House Children’s Books). She’s a passionate advocate for representation in literature and media.
Book Review
Reyna is strong and a brilliant role model for anyone, regardless of gender or race
I really enjoyed Last Gamer Standing. It was set in the future, where everyone played Dayhold, a virtual-reality sport. Reyna Cheng is a regular 12-year-old kid, but she has one secret; privately, she plays as a rising pro in e-sports. But her friends must never find out… This book was a really smooth read, and I felt as though I couldn’t put it down. The story never dragged and was funny too!
Reyna is such a strong character and she’s stayed with me even after I’ve finished the book. She is ambitious, but determined and has inspired me to also follow my creative dreams. Reyna is strong and a brilliant role model for anyone, regardless of gender or race.
I loved the amazing description of the different virtual places Reyna visited and fought in. The description of the different beasts and demons was so realistic; I felt as thought they were right next to me. Her fighting was fast-paced, but the book allowed me to keep up and keep track on what was happening.
One of my favourite things about Last Gamer Standing was that the author is not yet done with the books! Hopefully Reyna will star again!
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Reviewer Profile
- Name: Kirsten
- Age: 12 years
- Likes: swimming , netball and writing stories
- Dislikes: cream (on its own) and unkindness
- Favourite Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Favourite Song: Underdog by Alicia Keys
- Favourite Film: Hunt for the Wilder People
