Offside: A Graphic Novel by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Mari Costa (Paperback)

Middle Grade Fiction - Comics & Graphic Novels - Sports & Recreation - Soccer - Hispanic and Latino - Ages 8-12

Published: 7/7/2026

From the author of the USA Today and Indie bestselling Invisible, a must-have graphic novel about five very different students who may just have more in common than they thought.

Can you get ahead if it means leaving everyone behind?

Al, Nicky, Palmer, Fabiola, and Seba are all on the school soccer team. But that doesn't mean they're all on the same side.

For the first time ever, the Jackson Middle School soccer team is going co-ed thanks to Nicky's determination. But Al is going to do whatever he can to keep the girls off the team, just the way his father wants.

When Al and Nicky's rivalry threatens to tear the team apart, everyone's going to have to pick sides. That is, until Palmer looks into why Nicky joined the team, and he starts to realize that there's a bigger problem than what's on the field. . .

And maybe the only way to truly win is together.

With text in English and Spanish, Offside features the groundbreaking format used in Invisible, paired with engaging, accessible, and entertaining storytelling. This Breakfast Club-inspired story by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Mari Costa is a must-have graphic novel about soccer, friendship, and what it really means to work as a team.

AUTHOR BIO: 

Christina Diaz Gonzalez is the Edgar Award-winning and USA TODAY best-selling author of several novels including The Red Umbrella, Concealed, and the graphic novels Invisible and Offside. Her books have been named to over thirty-four state award lists and have reached international acclaim with Japan's Sakura Medal nominations and International Latino Book Awards. Learn more at christinagonzalez.com.

"A story that shouldn't be missed." --Entertainment Weekly

"This is a must-read." --Book Riot

★ "Illuminating and engaging. With a sweet twist at the end, multifaceted characters, and moments of genuine comedy, this is pitch-perfect for anyone who loves Raina Telgemeier or Varian Johnson." --Booklist, starred review

★ "Truly unique... An entertaining and spirited reading experience." --School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Invisible celebrates individuality and community while transcending language barriers." --Bookpage, starred review