bookishcb_21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gosh, I flew through this book! Mia and her friends are definitely growing up - from figuring themselves out as they get older to dealing with bouts of racism throughout, which they don’t let go quietly. The Women’s World Cup is also visiting Anaheim (the US vs. China in the finals). Mia doesn’t want anything to do with sports, but works at trying to get an interview with the championship teams to boost her PE grade. What is so interesting is that after every story ends, I enjoy reading the author notes depicting what events happened in her life and how they inspired the stories we read today with Mia and her friends. This one was extra special, as the author got to interview and meet the Chinese women’s national soccer team in 1999 ⚽️ I look forward to finally picking up the latest installment to see what happens with Mia and her friends 💜
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
sophili's review
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
thereadingteacup's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jana114's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cmstein's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dlsmall's review
5.0
Just an excellent continuation of Kelly’s intermediate coming-of-age series! This entry set in and around her real experiences during the iconic Women’s World Cup match in 1999. Like the three preceding books in the series, while having a sunny tone, Kelly’s not afraid to get really real with an adaptation of her own LA immigrant story.
lizcom28's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
andyisreadingnow's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
5.0
I just can't get over how much I adore this series. Kelly Yang strikes again with another excellent goal in Mia's newest adventure through "Key Player"!
girlreading's review against another edition
5.0
Another superb instalment in this gorgeous, compassionate, energetic and touching series. I truly believe this is one of the best middle grade series out there and the world would be a kinder place if everyone, old and young, gave it a read. Finding out this isn’t the last in the series is the best news I’ve read all year. Mia and the cast of this series have well and truly stolen my heart.
TW: racism
TW: racism
ralovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Another great installment in the Mia Tang saga, although I think (as is usually the case with middle grade) it gets increasingly awkward as the kids age. I think there's one more installment to come.