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Publication
Algonquin Young Readers (2020), 368 pages
Description
Romanc Young Adult Fictio Young Adult Literatur HTML:A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB YA PICK Recipient of the 2021 Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Medal One of BuzzFeed's Must-Read YA Books of 2020 A Best Book of the Year: Cosmopolitan * Kirkus Reviews * SheReads * New York Public Library �??An engrossing #OwnVoices novel.�?� �??PopSugar �??This book will set your dreams on fire . . . It�??s fabulous.�?� �?? Reese Witherspoon A powerful contemporary YA for fans of The Poet X and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line�??even her blooming love story�??to follow her dreams. In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan lives a double life. At home, she is a careful daughter, living within her mother�??s narrow expectations, in her rising-soccer-star brother�??s shadow, and under the abusive rule of her short-tempered father. On the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila gets the chance to see just how far those talents can take her. In her wildest dreams, she�??d get an athletic scholarship to a North American university. But the path ahead isn�??t easy. Her parents don�??t know about her passion. They wouldn�??t allow a girl to play fútbol�??and she needs their permission to go any farther. And the boy she once loved is back in town. Since he left, Diego has become an international star, playing in Italy for the renowned team Juventus. Camila doesn�??t have time to be distracted by her feelings for him. Things aren�??t the same as when he left: she has her own passions and ambitions now, and La Furia cannot be denied. As her life becomes more complicated, Camila is forced to face her secrets and make her way in a world with no place for the dreams and ambition of a girl like her. Filled with authentic details and the textures of day-to-day life in Argentina, heart-soaring romance, and breathless action on the pitch, Furia is the story o… (more)
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LibraryThing member acargile
Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez is realistic fiction, set in Argentina. I feel that Americans tend to believe the United States centers the world--everything revolves around us and we have little cares for others. Often people only travel in the United States and might not even absorb the different
In this novel Camila Hassan descends from several different cultures. She lives in Argentina where futbol (soccer) rules. Her brother plays for a national team and their father feels that he will save the whole family. He fails to realize that Camila has more talent.
Camila lives two lives. At home, she creates the image of an obedient daughter. She may not always come home on time, but she isn't like other girls, getting pregnant and becoming a wife, expecting a man to provide while she raises kids and takes care of a house with hardly any money. Her family believes that she will become a doctor and expect her to study. She does study and do well in school. She's worked very hard to speak English fluently and be able to teach English. Camila is close to her brother even though his destiny is supposedly to become a famous futbol star. Camila's mother gave up on happiness years ago. She loves her kids, but life hasn't treated her well. Her husband, Camila's father, lacks the ability to love. The world revolves about him and what he wants. He feels life has treated him badly and his family is partly to blame, so his son will save them all. Camila fears her father to an extent, keeping her from telling him--even her mother--about her real life and her real dreams.
Camila plays futbol with girls and they are really good. Camila hopes to get seen and become a player in the United States. She secretly competes, but the news does pick up on her furious playing and uses her new nickname: Furia. Camila has to hide her uniform, lie about where she is, and practice in secret in order to attempt to achieve her dreams. Her best friend is a great help because her family comes to all of the games and helps.
One day her brother's friend, Diego, returns home. He plays for a team in Italy and makes the town proud, for he is an amazing player. He has always had a soft spot for Camila. Now she has a third secret to keep: Diego. The media follows him everywhere, so people assume Camila is just one of his women. The thing is, Diego isn't a bad guy like everyone wants to say that he is. He cares for his hometown and he truly cares for Camila. The question is--do you follow your heart or do you follow your dreams? Camila wants out; the way out is to play futbol and she loves it--she's better than her brother; she wants away from her selfish father and the narrow expectations of her mother; she wants to be seen by American teams; and, she wants Diego. How? She's poor and lives in a town in Argentina. Can she do it?
I really liked this novel a lot. I like that Camila stays focused on her dreams. She makes a plan. She practices. She studies. She doesn't expect fate to take care of her. The plot isn't about luck; it's about skill. I also like Diego. His personality is opposite of how Camila's brother describes him, which shows jealousy. Diego actually cares for people and doesn't let fame alter who he is. I like that he learns to believe in Camila instead of force her into a stereotype. Girls--read this to read about making good choices and how actions can lead you to the future you want. You may even have a different opinion about people from other countries and how life is more dangerous and difficult than you thought. The United States can be a sanctuary for people and they will strive to contribute to this country. Diego and Camila have a chance. Their tenacity, skill, courage, and leadership skills lead them to their futures.
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cultures here much less cultures from a foreign land. Take a trip to life in Argentina and see what you can learn.In this novel Camila Hassan descends from several different cultures. She lives in Argentina where futbol (soccer) rules. Her brother plays for a national team and their father feels that he will save the whole family. He fails to realize that Camila has more talent.
Camila lives two lives. At home, she creates the image of an obedient daughter. She may not always come home on time, but she isn't like other girls, getting pregnant and becoming a wife, expecting a man to provide while she raises kids and takes care of a house with hardly any money. Her family believes that she will become a doctor and expect her to study. She does study and do well in school. She's worked very hard to speak English fluently and be able to teach English. Camila is close to her brother even though his destiny is supposedly to become a famous futbol star. Camila's mother gave up on happiness years ago. She loves her kids, but life hasn't treated her well. Her husband, Camila's father, lacks the ability to love. The world revolves about him and what he wants. He feels life has treated him badly and his family is partly to blame, so his son will save them all. Camila fears her father to an extent, keeping her from telling him--even her mother--about her real life and her real dreams.
Camila plays futbol with girls and they are really good. Camila hopes to get seen and become a player in the United States. She secretly competes, but the news does pick up on her furious playing and uses her new nickname: Furia. Camila has to hide her uniform, lie about where she is, and practice in secret in order to attempt to achieve her dreams. Her best friend is a great help because her family comes to all of the games and helps.
One day her brother's friend, Diego, returns home. He plays for a team in Italy and makes the town proud, for he is an amazing player. He has always had a soft spot for Camila. Now she has a third secret to keep: Diego. The media follows him everywhere, so people assume Camila is just one of his women. The thing is, Diego isn't a bad guy like everyone wants to say that he is. He cares for his hometown and he truly cares for Camila. The question is--do you follow your heart or do you follow your dreams? Camila wants out; the way out is to play futbol and she loves it--she's better than her brother; she wants away from her selfish father and the narrow expectations of her mother; she wants to be seen by American teams; and, she wants Diego. How? She's poor and lives in a town in Argentina. Can she do it?
I really liked this novel a lot. I like that Camila stays focused on her dreams. She makes a plan. She practices. She studies. She doesn't expect fate to take care of her. The plot isn't about luck; it's about skill. I also like Diego. His personality is opposite of how Camila's brother describes him, which shows jealousy. Diego actually cares for people and doesn't let fame alter who he is. I like that he learns to believe in Camila instead of force her into a stereotype. Girls--read this to read about making good choices and how actions can lead you to the future you want. You may even have a different opinion about people from other countries and how life is more dangerous and difficult than you thought. The United States can be a sanctuary for people and they will strive to contribute to this country. Diego and Camila have a chance. Their tenacity, skill, courage, and leadership skills lead them to their futures.
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LibraryThing member RealLifeReading
It’s been a while since I’ve stayed up to read a book – ok so I usually sleep at 1030 and staying to finish this book just meant that I slept closer to 11 last night. But I just really wanted to finish reading it! It was such a great read full of heart, full of energy, full of dreams.
Camila
Camila is such an awesome character. I love her passion for the sport. She will not back down, and is determined to stay on the right path that will take her there. And the focus is on her dreams, her terms, not by following a boy.
FURIA doesn’t shy away from the expectations and realities that Argentinian culture has on women. But we also sense the love that Méndez has for Argentina in all the immersive details of everyday life there.
Highly recommended!
Camila
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Hassan is 17, she lives in Rosario, Argentina, and hides her passion for football from her family. Her brother is a professional player but that world is not a place for girls, or so her family thinks. But Camila is not just good, she has talent. On the field she becomes La Furia. If she were a boy, football clubs would be snapping her up. But her only way to succeed in this game is to hope someone will take a chance on her and let her make her way to the US. Camila is such an awesome character. I love her passion for the sport. She will not back down, and is determined to stay on the right path that will take her there. And the focus is on her dreams, her terms, not by following a boy.
FURIA doesn’t shy away from the expectations and realities that Argentinian culture has on women. But we also sense the love that Méndez has for Argentina in all the immersive details of everyday life there.
Highly recommended!
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LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
I can see why this book won the Pura Belpré Young Adult Award this year. Furia who is known to most as Camila, is just another girl in Argentia with dreams of making it big. For her, big is playing professional football (i.e. US Soccer). Her brother is a local semi pro player, her dad was once a
#BBRC - Latino in a non-issue book
#Booked2021 Latinx author
#ReadHarder -
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player, and the boy she loves is big leagues professional player. But things where she lives are not great. Dad is abusive, mother is submissive, and girls are expected to live a traditional life. Go to school. Become a doctor. No play football. Football is for men. This is a character driven novel, and it was excellent, just not my thing. I’m an action reader and this moved much to slow for me. However, I can think of the perfect hands to place this book into when they come into the library. It totally deserves every award it receives. But for me personally, it was okay.#BBRC - Latino in a non-issue book
#Booked2021 Latinx author
#ReadHarder -
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LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
A sports romance with a twist: Camila loves the boy but she loves her futbol dreams more. Especially as she faces opposition from her own family and is secretly playing girls' soccer while nurturing her dream of someday playing for a U.S. professional team. It would be easy for a girl to get swept
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up by Diego, the local boy turned handsome, rich, international soccer star. But Camila stays grounded and true to self even when her heart breaks. The author's own passion for soccer informs Camila's story but there are also moments of swoon over Diego; an unexpectedly solid balance of sports and romance that could appeal to a broader audience. Show Less
LibraryThing member ewyatt
Camila's story of following her dreams and finding her path in an environment that doesn't always value girls and women. With a domineering, abusive father, Camila keeps her playing on a girls soccer team a secret. But with her team winning the championship and qualifying for a major tournament the
With Spanish language and Argentinian culture woven with the text, Camila's story of dealing with poverty, romance (with an up-and-coming futbol star), family, and feminism is compelling. La Furia, her futbol persona is driven for success and by the love of the game. This drive and focus on her dream is the thing that sustains her and helps her break the cycle of hard times for her family.
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truth with come out. With Spanish language and Argentinian culture woven with the text, Camila's story of dealing with poverty, romance (with an up-and-coming futbol star), family, and feminism is compelling. La Furia, her futbol persona is driven for success and by the love of the game. This drive and focus on her dream is the thing that sustains her and helps her break the cycle of hard times for her family.
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LibraryThing member reader1009
audiobook, semi-autobiographical fiction - Argentine teen pursues her dreams of becoming an international soccer superstar while dealing with sexist culture, a physically abusive father.
LibraryThing member jwitt33
First, I have to say that I thought the narrator did an excellent job with this book. She was very easy to understand, she did a great job with the voices of the different characters, and she let the story lead. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and I can't tell you how frustrating it is when I'm
As to the story itself, Camila is a typical teenage girl in most ways, but she is driven by her love of soccer, and through soccer, her need to succeed at winning an athletic scholarship, hopefully to a university in North America. That is her ultimate dream, but there are a few things standing in her way; specifically, the fact that her parents don't know that she is even interested in soccer, let alone playing on a team that has qualified for the South American tournament. Her brother is supposed to be the star in her family, as he is the male, and that's just how it is. And then there's Diego, her old boyfriend who is now an international soccer star himself, and who has unexpectedly come back into her life.
This isn't just a story about a girl's love of soccer, though. It's a story about domestic violence, gender inequality, racism, and the need to escape from an untenable situation, no matter the cost. Camila's father is overbearing and runs his house with an iron fist. Her mother, brother, and she herself live an existence where they are constantly walking on eggshells so as not to upset him. Having lived in a situation just like this, I can relate to her feelings of anger, shame, and determination to escape.
I thought all of the characters were well written and very well fleshed out. There was definitely character growth and development throughout, and I was pleased with the direction all of the characters took. The storyline flowed very well, also, and I was always looking forward to seeing what would happen next.
In summary, I thought this was a very well written book, and I enjoyed it very much. Kudos to the narrator, as well. I enthusiastically recommend it to lovers of YA fiction with a very moving and weighty subject matter.
I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my impartial review.
5/5 stars.
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listening to a good story but the narrator's voice just doesn't flow between the character changes, and this tends to yank me out of the story.As to the story itself, Camila is a typical teenage girl in most ways, but she is driven by her love of soccer, and through soccer, her need to succeed at winning an athletic scholarship, hopefully to a university in North America. That is her ultimate dream, but there are a few things standing in her way; specifically, the fact that her parents don't know that she is even interested in soccer, let alone playing on a team that has qualified for the South American tournament. Her brother is supposed to be the star in her family, as he is the male, and that's just how it is. And then there's Diego, her old boyfriend who is now an international soccer star himself, and who has unexpectedly come back into her life.
This isn't just a story about a girl's love of soccer, though. It's a story about domestic violence, gender inequality, racism, and the need to escape from an untenable situation, no matter the cost. Camila's father is overbearing and runs his house with an iron fist. Her mother, brother, and she herself live an existence where they are constantly walking on eggshells so as not to upset him. Having lived in a situation just like this, I can relate to her feelings of anger, shame, and determination to escape.
I thought all of the characters were well written and very well fleshed out. There was definitely character growth and development throughout, and I was pleased with the direction all of the characters took. The storyline flowed very well, also, and I was always looking forward to seeing what would happen next.
In summary, I thought this was a very well written book, and I enjoyed it very much. Kudos to the narrator, as well. I enthusiastically recommend it to lovers of YA fiction with a very moving and weighty subject matter.
I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my impartial review.
5/5 stars.
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LibraryThing member Hccpsk
In the city of Rosario, Argentina, futbol reigns supreme, and Camila’s family is no different. Her father used to play and her brother is now a locally famous player with his sights on the national team. But Camila has a secret — she has her own aspirations and plays on a local women’s team
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that has made the South American tournament, but no one in her family knows. To make matters worse, her old friend, Diego, has returned to Rosario on break from the professional Italian team he plays for, and he wants her to leave Argentina with him. What’s a girl to do? Yamile Saied Mendez’s exciting YA book examines the role of women in Argentina, sports, and going after what you want even if means sacrificing. A great choice for YA readers looking for sports and girl-power themes along with romance, family, and friendship. Show Less
LibraryThing member Linyarai
I used this for the "a character on the run" part of my 2021 reading challenge. I thought it was really well done, the characters were lively and realistic and the location was really easy to visualize. I was really proud of her for standing up for what she wanted and standing up to Diego, it's
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great to see a woman focused on her goals and not caving or settling. I'm not a sports fan but I didn't find the soccer focus to take away from the story at all, it was easy for me to fall into even without common interests. Show Less
ISBN
1616209917 / 9781616209919