We have both the adult and young reader's editions of this book.
Grades 6-9. This engaging and unapologetic memoir from soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe, adapted from her adult book of the same name, begins with a letter she wrote to her 13-year-old self, saying that “Failure and adversity will challenge and strengthen you. That success will embolden you, and that sometimes being brave will absolutely be called for.” Rapinoe’s obsession with and talent at soccer at the early age of six ultimately led to her being invited, as a teenager, to play for the FIFA Under-19 Women’s World Championship and, later, to join the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. Through her memoir, she details not only athletic triumphs (taking gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics, winning the World Cup twice) but personal battles and accomplishments as well: she has publicly come out as gay, and she withstood a firestorm of protest when she took the knee in support of Colin Kaepernick. Rapinoe also touches upon causes she’s passionate about—she’s part of the lawsuit the women’s team filed against the U.S. Soccer Federation for gender discrimination and a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, equal pay, and, due to her brother’s incarceration, prison reform. Readers will be inspired by her belief that “we have to love more, hate less, listen more, talk less” and be empowered to follow her lead.
-From Booklist
