Breakaway: Beyond the Goal

Gr 7 Up--This inspirational memoir from a soccer champion and Olympic gold medalist will appeal to sports fans and nonathletes alike. Morgan adeptly shares how she achieved her goals of becoming a renowned professional soccer player and the important lessons she learned along the way. As a young girl, she played softball, but at age eight, she realized that her dream was to play professional soccer. With her family's support, she trained with the American Youth Soccer Organization, played on her hometown's soccer club team, and joined the Olympic Development Program, as well as the under-17 and under-20 national World Cup teams. Morgan went on to accomplish her biggest achievements: playing in the World Cup and the Olympics. In addition to detailing her triumphs on the field, she also describes other elements of her life, such as a long-term long-distance relationship, the chronic sports injuries she suffered, and her strong performance at college. The writing is accessible, personal, and down-to-earth. In each chapter, Morgan provides helpful advice on fulfilling one's objectives, accepting failure, and staying positive and focused, as well as the importance of a good support network and the value of being competitive. While readers might not share her aspirations, they will appreciate her story and benefit from her counsel. VERDICT A great addition to memoir and sports collections in public and high school libraries.--Jess Gafkowitz, New York Public Library