''Furia'' is a

young adult fiction Young adult fiction (YA) is a category of fiction written for readers from 12 to 18 years of age. While the genre is primarily targeted at adolescents, approximately half of YA readers are adults. The subject matter and genres of YA correlate ...

novel written by Yamile Saied Mendez. The main character, Camila, is a 17 year old living in modern-day Rosario, Santa Fe in

Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...

. She aspires to be a great soccer star, but her home life and love life get in the way. ''Furia'' received the

Pura Belpré Award The Pura Belpré Award is a recognition presented to a Latino or Latina author and illustrator whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for children or youth. It was established in 1996. It was given every oth ...

medal for Young Adult Narrative in 2021.

Plot

The book begins with Camila Hassan leaving her home to secretly play in a soccer match (referred to as ''fútbol''). Camila's secret becomes increasingly difficult to keep as her fame grows, her lover arrives back in town, and she struggles with injuries, sexism and family dynamics.

Characters

*Camila Hassan (main character): is nicknamed La Furia, meaning "the fury." *Roxana: Camila's closest friend, plays fútbol on the same team of Camila. *Pablo Hassan: Camila's brother, is a skilled fútbol player in a national league. *Diego Ferrari: Camila's lover, is a major league fútbol player from the same barrio as Camila. *Camila's parents: referred to as Mami and Papa. Their real names are Isabel and Andres. Camila has a close, albeit rocky, relationship with her mother and a bad relationship with her father.

Release

''Furia'' was published in hardback and ebook formats on September 15, 2020 through Algonquin Young Readers. An audiobook adaptation narrated by Sol Madariaga was released simultaneously through Workman Audio. A paperback edition was released through Algonquin Young Readers on February 15, 2022.

Themes

''Furia'' contains themes about coming of age and intersectional feminist outlooks, while also highlighting Argentinian culture.

Reception

''The Chicago Review of Books'' reviewed ''Furia'', praising the character of Camila and the romance between her and Diego as "genuine and emotionally earned". Common Sense Media gave the work 5 out of 5 stars, highlighting it as having positive role models and messages.

Awards

medal for Young Adult Narrative (2021, won)

References

{{reflist

External links

Review
at the '' Daily Utah Chronicle'' 2020 novels Novels set in Argentina Young adult novels English-language novels Novels about association football Santa Fe, Argentina Algonquin Books books