An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars

An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars is an inspiring coming-of-age movie that follows McKenna Brooks, a 10-year-old aspiring gymnast who dreams of making it to the Olympics. The movie was released in 2012 and directed by Vince Marcello.

The movie stars Jade Pettyjohn as McKenna, a bright and determined young girl who is passionate about gymnastics. She has been training as a gymnast since she was five years old and is a natural athlete. McKenna is intelligent, ambitious, and has a strong support system in her family and friends.

Ysa Penarejo plays Toulane Thomas, McKenna's best friend since kindergarten. Toulane is also a gymnast, but not as dedicated as McKenna. The two girls have a close bond and share everything with each other.

McKenna's mother, played by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), is her biggest cheerleader, but also struggles to balance her own career as a teacher while supporting her daughter's athletic dreams. Ian Ziering (90210) plays McKenna's father, who is equally supportive but often away on business trips.

Cathy Rigby, a former Olympic gymnast, appears as Coach Isabelle, the tough but caring coach of McKenna's gym. She pushes McKenna to work harder and believes in her potential to become an Olympic athlete.

Kerris Dorsey plays Sierra, a talented and competitive gymnast who becomes McKenna's biggest rival. Sierra is focused and driven, but also demonstrates unsportsmanlike behavior towards McKenna.

The movie takes place in Seattle, where McKenna lives with her family. She attends a prestigious private school and struggles academically, particularly in reading. As a result, her mother enrolls her in a reading program, which causes tension between McKenna and her best friend Toulane.

McKenna's biggest challenge comes when she suffers from a serious injury during gymnastics practice. She is forced to take a break from her training and struggles with feeling like a failure. With the help of her family, friends, and coaches, McKenna learns to overcome her physical and emotional obstacles and finds the courage to pursue her dreams.

An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars is a heartwarming movie that encourages young viewers to pursue their passions and never give up on their dreams. The movie promotes the values of hard work, determination, and perseverance, as well as the importance of family and friendship. With its positive messages and inspiring story, An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars is a must-watch for young gymnasts and anyone who loves a good underdog story.