About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling anxious or powerless due to family conflict or divorce. 'Ten: A Soccer Story' follows eleven-year-old Maya in 1986 Malaysia. As her parents' marriage falls apart, she pours her energy into her love for soccer, a game everyone tells her is for boys. She fights to build an all-girls team at her school, discovering her own strength and creating a new community in the process. This book is an empowering read for ages 9-12 that models resilience and self-advocacy. It beautifully shows how a child can carve out a space of their own and find stability through passion and friendship, even when their home life is uncertain.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The central sensitive topic is parental divorce, which is handled directly and realistically. The narrative focuses on Maya's perspective: her anxiety hearing arguments, her sadness at the final announcement, and her experience of her father moving away. The resolution for the family is a permanent separation, but the resolution for Maya is hopeful as she builds resilience. The book depicts instances of sexism, such as characters telling Maya and her teammates that soccer is 'for boys' and the school refusing to fund their uniforms. These instances may prompt conversations about gender equality and challenging stereotypes. There are mild references to financial hardship contributing to the family stress.
