Tag Archives: World Cup

Review: Key Player by Kelly Yang

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , , , , ,
Key Player by Kelly Yang

Key Player (Front Desk #4)
Kelly Yang
Scholastic Press
Published September 6, 2022

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About Key Player

Mia Tang is going for the goal in the fourth Front Desk novel by New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang! Mia Tang is play to win!

The Women’s World Cup is coming to Southern California, and everyone has soccer fever―especially Mia Tang! The U.S. team is playing China in the finals, and Mia feels like her two identities are finally coming together. But when her P.E. teacher gives her a C, Mia tries to pull up her grade by scoring interviews with the championship teams. It’s not so easy when . . .

1. The two teams are hunkered down in secret hotels in Pasadena and not taking any media requests.

2. Mr. Yao is back at the motel―as a co-owner! Jason is sure his dad deserves a second chance. Mia is not so sure.

3. Mia’s parents are trying to buy a house of their very own, which turns out to be a LOT harder than they thought!

As Mia aims for her goals, she’ll have to face strikers from all corners, as well as her own fears. But if anyone can find a way to win big, it’s Mia Tang!

My Review

I’ve met some other reviewers who love this series, so it’s been on my list to read the books. I love how they match an upbeat tone with an unflinching (and age-appropriate) look at the prejudices Mia’s family and friends face.

The story is set in the 1990s, which is also a lot of fun to read about. It still feels very accessible to readers today. Mia still seems like a middle school kid one might meet today.

In this book, Mia discovers a love for soccer while pursuing her dream of going to a kids’ journalism camp. She investigates the reasons why Jason’s dad is so grouchy and relentlessly searches hotels and restaurants for any sign of the women’s soccer teams so she can interview them.

I enjoyed the continuation of the series. Mia is a precocious narrator, and the story makes room for her to play a key role in the story’s events. I’m excited to see where the author leads the series next. I think there are six books in all, so I’ve got two more to read!

This is a great book to pick up if you’re looking for a middle grade novel with a connection to the World Cup and soccer, or if you’re looking for something about a reluctant soccer player.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Brief references to what a crush feels like. One character has a crush on someone.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Some racist microaggressions against Mia and her family and their friend, Hank. Some headlines and people in Mia’s life frame the match between the American and Chinese women’s soccer teams as a battle of good versus evil. Mia notes a few other comments that demonize China or Chinese culture. She feels frustrated and discouraged about these comments and finds ways to push back.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed a copy of this book from my local public library. All opinions are my own.

Review: Mia and Friends by Karlin Gray and Micheline Hess

Biography, Book Review and Content, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, , , , , , ,

Mia and Friends: Mia Hamm and the Soccer Sisterhood that Changed History
Karlin Gray
Illustrated by Micheline Hess
First Second
Published May 21, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Mia and Friends: Mia Hamm and the Soccer Sisterhood that Changed History

Based on the true story of soccer legend Mia Hamm, Mia and Friends follows a group of young women who made history at the 1999 Women’s World Cup!

Despite being named after a famous ballerina, little Mia Hamm never cared for pirouettes. Instead, she chased the ball: baseball, basketball, and especially soccer. Since she was often the only girl on her sports teams, she had a hard time making friends. But when fifteen-year-old Mia made the U.S. women’s national soccer team, everything changed. All around her, young women tackled and dribbled, passed and kicked, scored, and screamed. They were just like her—but even more skilled. For Mia to improve, she had to play up to the levels of Michelle Akers, Briana Scurry, Brandi Chastain, and so many others. She was determined not to let her team down.

My Review

This graphic novel-style book follows Mia Hamm’s life and experiences, focusing on her time as part of the US Women’s National Team. Hamm and her teammates triumphed at the World Cup and earned Olympic medals while celebrating one another and building genuine friendships with each other.

At the end of the book, a chapter explores the Legacy of Equal Work for Equal Pay. I found the facts and details explained here pretty enlightening. Essentially, the women’s team was more highly decorated but paid less and restricted to a smaller budget for things like travel and equipment. It took a long fight in which the players risked opportunities in order to gain fair treatment. The book flashes forward to a new generation of players, including Megan Rapinoe and Abby Wambach who’ve continued the fight for equality in sports.

The pages show the players’ love for soccer and the joy of playing sports. I love the high energy of the scenes showing games and the ones that show the strong bond between the players.

This is a really quick read, and it offers a lot of information in just over 100 pages. The author lists lots of resources for further reading or watching in the back, which I’m sure sports fans will be excited to peruse. Pass this to young soccer fans and anyone in the mood to learn more about the history of women in sports.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Mia, a white girl, is the main character. She’s part of a diverse soccer team.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
One panel shows a young woman holding up her hand and showing off an engagement ring while others congratulate her.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to soccer injuries.

This isn’t violent, but it is sad. Mia experiences the death of someone close to her. One panel shows her at the person’s hospital bedside and another shows her and her family at the funeral.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.