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    Yamile Saied Méndez’s The Beautiful Game celebrates soccer

    0
    By Jessica on October 15, 2024 ages 9 & up, Hispanic Heritage, Middle Grade

    THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, by Yamile Saied Méndez, Algonquin Young Readers, Sept. 17, 2024, $16.99 (ages 9 and up)

    A soccer player is forced to rethink everything she knows about the sport in The Beautiful Game, by Yamile Saied Méndez.

    At thirteen years old, Valeria “Magic” Salomón is already the best soccer player her town has ever seen. She has talent in spades and an abuelo whose tough-love coaching and lessons about “strength and honor” have made her the star of the Overlords, the top boys’ team in the state. 

    But everything changes at the State Cup semi-final when Valeria gets her first period while Wearing. White. Shorts.

    After her team is unexpectedly eliminated, she goes from their secret weapon to their scapegoat. Soon, she doesn’t have a team at all anymore. She’s not sure she has a relationship with her grandfather either.  

    Valeria’s a fighter, however. And with the help of her grandmother and support of her cheerleader BFF, she finds herself on a girls’ team for the first time. But the Amazons aren’t exactly excited to have her there. After all, Valeria’s spent years ignoring their existence. With the next tournament looming on the horizon, Valeria has a month to figure out her place on her new team and learn how to play like a girl. —Synopsis provided by Algonquin Young Readers

    The Beautiful Game drops readers into the competitive world of American youth soccer. And while this book is compelling for readers who aren’t as familiar with the sport, it’s going to heavily resonate with those who are.

    At the center of the story is Valeria, a 13-year-old who is being raised by her grandparents. All she’s ever wanted to do is play soccer and make her grandfather proud. But when things with her team suddenly go wrong, she’s made to feel like it’s all her fault.

    And while soccer is the backdrop against which The Beautiful Game plays out, there’s much more to the story. Author Yamile Saied Méndez expertly explores themes of intergenerational family dynamics, gender expectations, building friendships and learning to trust yourself. And the scenes surrounding Valeria’s first period will ring true with girls everywhere.

    The Beautiful Game is a stand-alone contemporary novel that’s heartfelt and full of on-the-field excitement.

     

    Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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    Jessica
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    Jessica Harrison is the reviewer behind Cracking the Cover. She loves books and worked as the in-house book critic at a daily newspaper, writing reviews and interviewing authors for two years. When the company cut back, she lost her position covering books, but that doesn't mean she stopped reading. If anything, the whole experience made her more passionate about reading and giving people the tools to make informed decisions in their own book choices. She has been featured on NetGalley's Blogger Spotlight and is on Kindleprenuer's Ultimate List of the Best Book Review Blogs. Contact her at jessica(at)crackingthecover(dot)com and follow Cracking the Cover on Bluesky, Instagram,  Facebook and Twitter (X) @crackingthecovr. You can also read scaled down reviews on Jessica's Goodreads review page. Jessica is also a reviewer on Amazon.

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