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Student’s soccer book focuses on themes of teamwork, determination

HMS student Aadya Yeramalla poses with a copy of her book “The Final Shot,” which she published earlier this summer.

While the world seemed transfixed for several weeks over the excitement of the World Cup, a Hopkinton Middle School student and soccer player was celebrating publishing her first book.

Aadya Yeramalla, an HMS seventh grader, published “The Final Shot” earlier this summer. It is available on Amazon and Kindle.

The 12-year-old began playing soccer when she was 4 as a member of Hopkinton Youth Soccer’s KickStart program.

“I love playing soccer, like Alexia in the story,” she shared. “But one part of why I wrote it was because I was very bored.”

Yeramalla began drafting the book’s outline in a notebook. It took the fledgling author about four months to write it and another month to publish it. She designed the cover using Canva graphic design software.

“My dad really liked the story,” she said. “And he said, if I wrote it, it would be published. And that’s what ended up happening.”

Radhika Gupta, Yeramalla’s mother, added that she reached out to Barnes & Noble, HMS and local libraries about shelf space and author meet-and-greets.

The plot centers around Alexia’s move to Manhattan at age 14. Adjusting to a new school was challenging until she began playing soccer. This activity was forbidden by Alexia’s father, a former soccer superstar whose career was thwarted by a devastating injury.

Alexia strives to compete in an upcoming soccer championship without being discovered by her father or thwarted by unsavory teens.

“Alexia learns to reach out to the people she trusts most to help accomplish her dream,” explained Yeramalla. “And to stand up to her dad and really do what she wants to do in life.”

Yeramalla noted that her personal experiences are nothing like that of Alexia.

“In the book, I wanted to express themes like teamwork, determination and discipline for your skill,” she added. “And not to give up, even though there can be challenges in the way.”

Yeramalla said she was enthusiastic about the recent World Cup tournament, sharing that she rooted for Spain, its champion. She and Gupta attended a watch party in Boston last month.

While Yeramalla said she is not planning on writing another book, she has not ruled out the idea.

“Right now I’m really focused on school,” she said. “I’m joining club soccer, so a lot of time is focused on that. But if I have time in the future, then yes, definitely.”

— MARY ELLEN GAMBON

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Photo of the Day

A vendor checks out a customer at the Twisted Carrot booth as a line of patrons forms during the Hopkinton Farmers Market on Sunday.

PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD