Key player

Mia's feelings about her Chinese and American roots are complicated by the Women's World Cup soccer final between Team USA and Team China. Bookworm Mia Tang struggles to kick a soccer ball, but she must raise her grade in her least favorite class, PE, if she hopes to attend the journalism camp she's dreaming of. She perseveres in her goal of interviewing the women playing for the U.S. and Chinese teams. While Mia remains the keystone for this title, the supporting characters also help elevate the story. Her friend Jason's dad's storyline--told through Jason's eyes--reveals internal pressures to succeed as an immigrant and the importance of family in Asian cultures. Meanwhile, Lupe, Mia's other close friend, dreams of winning the Math Cup, but Mia's mother gets into trouble for helping to coach the team. A central theme of this title is identity, and many Asian American children will relate to being ostracized as perpetual foreigners. Beloved adult characters also experience inequities in housing and the workplace. Yet the hope and excitement for the soccer players clearly inspire Mia, her family, and friends to fight for respect for themselves as they strive to do things others don't believe they can achieve. Reassuringly, everything is resolved positively. Yang scores another win with this tightly paced entry that will ramp up the excitement for Mia's next empowering adventure. A heartwarming story about living your own life fully, even in the face of obstacles. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.