A Greater Goal

“Rusch writes lucidly about the frustration, anger, and determination of the talented athletes who worked together in a fight that took approximately three decades, and readers will come away empowered by her presentation of the impact of collective action… .While at its heart, this is an engaging account of a legal battle, there’s also plenty of soccer” – Booklist (starred review)

“In tracing the battle for equal pay and equal treatment waged by the United States Women’s National Team… Rusch… pulls off quite a feat: she keeps readers riveted by edge-of-their-seats descriptions of individual World Cup and Olympic games while educating them about gender bias, Title IX, the effects of concussion, contract negotiations, grass versus turf fields, class action lawsuits, and more… . For such a thorough and comprehensive account, the telling is remarkably lively… and filled with drama, sheroes, and villains.” – Horn Book (starred review)

“This thorough history of the U.S. Women’s National Team centers on the players’ decades long battle with the U.S. Soccer Federation for pay equity… . The thrilling accounts of memorable moments on the pitch vividly contrast with the crushing realities of the team members’ unfair treatment… . The text shows the players’ successes, letdowns, solidarity building, and resolve with depth and honesty… . An engaging, informative, and valuable contribution to the historical record.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Rusch uses her research skills and passion for nonfiction texts for teens to bring awareness about advocacy to a younger generation, one that has reaped rewards but has yet to achieve true equality… . This work profiles women’s equality in sports like a book about women’s suffrage or education and provides a perspective on the historical and contemporary vantage point of those topics: important to know.” – School Library Journal

Elizabeth Rusch is the author of You Call This Democracy?, a finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, and more than a dozen acclaimed children’s books, including picture books, middle grade, fiction, nonfiction, and a graphic novel. In a starred review Kirkus calls her book The 21: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the US Government Over Climate Change a “nail-biting account of a still unresolved landmark case.” She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family.