Review: Ten

Maya is a soccer-obsessed girl living in a small seaside town in Malaysia. Her only dream is to become a professional soccer player, but she has a few obstacles to overcome. Like the fact she’s never even touched a soccer ball, let alone kicked one. And what about the girls at her school? They all think soccer is for boys.

Maya tries to change the world, one soccer trick at a time, but is it enough? Can Maya convince her friends (and not so friendly classmates) that soccer is fun? At least then she’d have someone to practice with on her way to conquering the world. And what about the other major dramas in Maya’s life? Could soccer help hold her family together?

I fell in love with Maya’s spunk and attitude. She’s so full of believing that it’s hard not to be caught up in her whirlwind. It was wonderful to live in her different world for a little while and breathe the Malaysian sea breeze, too.

A wonderful middle reader that brings Maya and her seaside town in Malaysia to vibrant life.

Title: Ten
Author: Shamini Flint
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $12.99 RRP
Publication Date: May 2015
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760112264
For ages: 7-9
Type: Junior Fiction