When Irene arrives at her first soccer practice in Italy, where her family is staying for the year, she is dismayed to discover she's the only girl on the team. Furthermore, some of the boys make it all too obvious that she is not welcome. Accustomed to being one of the stars, she is now relegated to the sidelines. Even her Italian grandmother tries to dissuade her from playing, telling her she cannot be respected as a woman if she plays such a masculine sport. Is it worth it to pursue the sport she loves in the face of all the obstacles? Soccer fans will appreciate this title for the strong focus on the sport, and those who have been outsiders will recognize the struggles Irene faces. Additionally, those who are interested in foreign languages or have studied them will find this story valuable for the introduction to the usage of the Italian language in the context of the culture.
Date read: 1/7/2010
ISBN-10: 1561453099
ISBN-13: 9781561453092
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