Megan Rapinoe

Soccer star Rapinoe commands attention both on and off the field.

In this memoir adapted for young readers, Rapinoe reflects on facing adversity and discovering what she’s made of over the course of her illustrious career. Rapinoe and her twin sister began playing soccer as children, joining a competitive boys’ team since there was no girls’ option in their small California town. Recognizing their potential, Rapinoe’s parents supported the girls through long drives, early mornings, show more and financial sacrifice. After the twins earned full soccer scholarships to the University of Portland, Rapinoe found new opportunities at the national and international levels and quickly made a name for herself. She discusses her growing understanding of her sexuality and racial politics and how this awareness led to her using her celebrity to champion causes from marriage equality to gender-based pay inequality in professional soccer. Rapinoe gained notoriety for kneeling during the national anthem, in alignment with her strong belief that White people have a responsibility to draw attention to systemic racism. Backlash against her activism has dogged her career, but Rapinoe challenges readers to use their voices to speak up for what they believe in, emphasizing that issues, just like people’s lives, are interconnected. Soccer fans will appreciate the game details and photos, from family snaps to moments from iconic matches. However, even the nonsporty will find much to appreciate in this inspiring and engagingly written book.

A captivating sports memoir that puts social justice at the forefront. (Nonfiction. 11-15)

-Kirkus Review show less

Megan Rapinoe is a badass, and this book is awesome. She centers racial justice from the very beginning. And of course I love the soccer recaps. Some favorite lines:

About her brother: "There is another truth about drug addicts, and by extension those who serve time in prison: While, as human beings, they are valued by society at nothing their, symbolic value to the system is huge. For “us” to be “good,” “they” must be “bad”—and not just bad, but irredeemably so. It’s show more classic divide and rule and makes rehabilitation almost impossible. It also ensures that those entering the system are out beyond the reach of our common humanity."

About her family's reaction to the blow-back over her kneeling: "For millions of Americans, there was no luxury of "choice" around the issue of racism, and if my actions had caused stress among those for whom this wasn't the case, maybe that was no bad thing."

Last but not least: "Politics and sport don’t mix was the other comment I heard; and while I understood that for lots of people sports are an escape from real life, I didn’t really care. Racism, sexism, and pay inequality are all pressing issues, and god forbid someone should get you to think about them on your precious sports Sunday. People want to stay asleep and say, Oh, I don’t understand what’s going on. Well, read a fucking article. Becoming aware of what is happening in our world isn’t difficult." show less

Honestly written. Full of humor and humility but also a sense of pride and belief in her own accomplishments. Much more than a sports memoir, it shows Megan’s journey from wanting to stand up (or kneel) for what she believes in, to researching, networking, and fighting against injustices. I think she has a lot left to say, too.

Best for:
Football (soccer) fans; people who like awesome people.

In a nutshell:
One of the world’s best professional footballers shares her story of growing up, becoming a star, and speaking out about things that matter.

Worth quoting:
“In a country of 330 million people, only 23 women get to make a living the way we do, and you need to be a gladiator just to get on the team.”

Why I chose it:
I love football. I am a US Women’s National Team and Reign supporter. Pinoe is one of my favorite show more players. Like, this book was always something I was going to read.

Review:
I love soccer. I play it competitively in a grassroots league here in England, and I watch it. The NWSL team I support is the Reign, where Rapinoe plays. I’ve been in the stands as the US Women’s National Team won two world cups (in 2015 in Canada, and last year in France). I’m not a fan who can spout off stats, but I am a fan who loves watching the game.

Even people in the US who don’t follow soccer have probably heard of Megan Rapinoe. In last years’ World Cup, she won the award from most goals, as well as player of the tournament. But before that, people may remember her as being one of the first athletes to kneel in solidarity with the protests that Colin Kaepernick started, during the US national anthem. She is outspoken, and has taken to using the platform she has to promote other voices.

The book is a quick, easy read. She shares some insight into her time on the US team, but also her time growing up. Her childhood is surprisingly normal in many ways, and she’s relatable. She’s honest about where she has to improve and clear about where she excels - not just in soccer, but in life. She’s also inspiring as hell, being one of the first out professional female athletes. She’s helped lead the way for pay parity for women in the lawsuit against US soccer that she and four teammates filed. I remember being in the stands last year, as the US women won, and we all started chanting ‘Equal Pay.’ Shitty that such chants are still needed, but amazing that more people are recognizing the absurdity of pay inequality across gender and race these days.

The theme that runs through the aptly named book is basically that we all just have this life. What are we really doing with it? Are we speaking out in defense of our beliefs? In support of others? Are we doing what we think is right? After reading this, I feel reinvigorated. The writing is fun and feels free and open. I’m sure she held some things back, but it didn’t read like that. It read like a cool person telling some cool stories.

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