Girls with Goals

Girls with Goals tells the story of the incredible rise of women's football from its humble origins in 19th century Britain to the bans, challenges, laws and astonishing victories that have propelled it to being the global phenomenon it is today.

The twisty, turny but triumphant rise of women's football is one of the most fascinating stories in sports - and women's - history.

From the very birth of the sport in 19th century England, girls and women have always found a way to play - and keeping playing - the sport they love, in spite of the bans, challenges, rules and backward-looking attitudes.

Fast forward to today and women's football is now officially a global powerhouse. It is the most popular women's sport in the world with an ever-growing number of players, supporters and viewers.

With stunningly adept storytelling and a wealth of historical and up-to-date imagery Girls with Goals tells this fascinating story from its origins in working class England to the worldwide phenomenon it is today. 

Whether you are just starting out in your football journey or you are an experienced player who already loves the sport, you'll come to understand women's football in a completely new way through the intriguing stories and anecdotes from around the world, and characters from past and present - including from the perspective of marginalized athletes in the sport.

A love letter to women's football and the female athletes who inspired girls all over the world to pull on their boots, Girls with Goals will honour the women who fought hard to play the sport they loved and paved the way for athletes playing all women's sports today. 

The full story of the history of the women's game has yet to be told for the YA market so Girls with Goals is a book that every young soccer lover needs on their shelf.

About the Author

Clelia Castro-Malaspina is the author of books for teens and children, including Your Freedom, Your Power: A Kid’s Guide to the First Amendment. Kirkus called this book “current, insightful and savvy,” and in its starred review, Booklist asserted that the book “empowers kids.” Clelia has been an attorney and a literary agent, and currently runs her children’s book editorial business, Mossy Pines Creative. She lives on Mercer Island Washington, an island suburb of Seattle, with her husband and two daughters.