Reviews

Key Player by Kelly Yang

reading_books1245's review against another edition

4.0

4 ⭐

even though this series is aimed towards younger people, i still love it. mainly because of how the main characters faces racism and sexism throughout her everyday life along with her friends and family. it dives into different cultures, backgrounds, and where people come from which i really like. this specific book had to deal with sports and sexism which i face when i play lacrosse because we aren't agressive as men's laccrose and even my own friend has called my sport 'sissy' which really hurt. i can relate to this book really well in multiple aspects which i really like.

radmusikitty's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative 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? Yes

4.75

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 💜

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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"!