Furia

One of BuzzFeed’s Must-Read YA Books of 2020 “An engrossing #OwnVoices novel.” —PopSugar “In this stirring novel by Argentine American author Méndez, passion for sports and personal growth intersect in Camila’s powerful, feminist first-person narrative about her experiences as an ambitious athlete, a teenager deeply in love, the daughter of an abusive father at the point of taking charge of her own life, and a young woman finding her voice in a deeply sexist, patriarchal society … A riveting coming-of-age story.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Weaving rich cultural specifics and electric energy into her prose, Méndez crafts a dynamic, feminist narrative that commands attention from the very first line. At its core, this novel is a full-hearted love letter to Argentina and “incorrigible girls” everywhere, emboldening readers to stand up for themselves and chase the dreams they hold dear.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review “[A] high-energy #OwnVoices novel … Written in a relatable first-person perspective.” —Booklist “With a mix of Spanish words, vivid dialogue, and rich description, Mendez paints a realistic image of a young woman battling to become herself against the odds … A powerful and realistic novel.” —School Library Journal “In Furia, Saied Méndez captures both the breathless beauty of fútbol and the depth of its political power. Sports intersect with gender, class, race, and identities around the world, and there’s still so much ground to be covered in telling the stories that live at these intersections. This novel is a thoughtful, vibrant addition. Camila shows readers that they can have it all, even if it’s not exactly as they planned it. She insists girls have every right to dream, to want, to live, and it is a pleasure to watch this character do all three things with love and fury in equal measure.” —Chicago Review of Books “A feminist story of pursuing your dreams … An engrossing story about using your talent and pursuing your goals with messages about gender equality and the complexities of love. Highly recommend for people who enjoy powerful #ownvoices stories.” —YA Books Central

Yamile (sha-MEE-lay) Saied Méndez is an Argentinian-American writer. She is the author of picture books, middle grade, and young adult books. She’s a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and resides in Utah with her family.