Offside

Gonzalez (Invisible) and Costa (Forgive-Me-Not) thoughtfully fold questions of gender equity in soccer into a rousing sports graphic novel. When Jackson Middle School’s boys’ soccer team opens tryouts to female athletes, team captain Al responds by trying to recruit enough boys to edge the girls out entirely. That doesn’t stop classmates Nicky, a striker who advocates for co-ed play, and Fabiola, a newcomer from Colombia who speaks limited English and would rather remain unnoticed, from making the team. Al’s frustration is reinforced by his Brazilian-born father, who carries outdated assumptions about girls’ soccer that manifest via his demeaning and closed-off presence toward female players. This dynamic, reinforced via character facial expressions and body language, offers a nuanced look into Al’s seemingly unconscious adoption of his father’s worldview. Nicky, meanwhile, pursues her goals with uncompromising intensity, a trait that both empowers her and leaves her feeling isolated from the team. A standout spread that reimagines bilingual communication as a steampunk translation machine captures the comic’s inventive visual storytelling. What begins as a simple rivalry gradually expands into a layered exploration of access, recognition, and cultivating teamwork and understanding across differences. It’s a moving, tightly observed story with genuine stakes and emotion. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Allison Hellegers, Stimola Literary Studio (July)