Furia

Starred review from October 26, 2020
Méndez (Where Are You From?) infuses her YA debut with sparkling vitality straight from the pitch in this powerful coming-of-age story set in Rosario, Argentina. Camila Hassan, 17, knows that “lies have short legs,” but her budding career as a soccer player—and romance with childhood friend Diego—would not exist without them. Under pressure from parental expectations and an abusive father, Camila takes pains at home to conceal her after-school activities and passion for fútbol. On the field, however, she lets loose and tears it up as Furia—fierce futbolera and captain of Eva María Fútbol Club. When her team qualifies for a major tournament that requires a parental signature to participate, Camila must find the strength to reveal the truth and continue pursuing her goals in a community rife with machismo and rigid ideas about gender and ambition. Weaving rich cultural specifics and electric energy into her prose, Méndez crafts a dynamic, feminist narrative that commands attention from the very first line. At its core, this novel is a full-hearted love letter to Argentina and “incorrigible girls” everywhere, emboldening readers to stand up for themselves and chase the dreams they hold dear. Ages 14–up. Agent: Linda Camacho, Gallt & Zacker Literary.

Sol Madariaga brings fire and heart to a teen story of love and soccer. Talented futbolera Camilla Hassan hides her success on her winning team from her parents, especially her abusive father. Even her childhood best friend, Diego, doesn't know--he's too busy with his own emerging soccer stardom to see her bright future. Madariaga's ardent tone gives equal passion to Camilla's budding relationship with Diego and her time on the field. Her rolling accent grounds the Argentine setting, and the Spanish in the text flows smoothly. She captures Camilla's infectious youthfulness and her fierce determination to forge her own path. The drive that makes her La Furia helps her fight a sexist society and give voice to the missing girls it has destroyed. S.T.C. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine