"Somehow just seeing each other made us laugh.
Dayo wandered over next, and then freckle-faced
Oliver. Garika, the Zimbabwean, looked a little lost
as well, so I waved him over. More and more players
hesitantly approached our table, some of whom were
the only kids from their country or they didn't speak
English or they just looked out of place for some
reason. I realized that I, too, belonged to a tribe:
the group for people who didn't have one.
And that was right where I belonged."
This is the first book in a series of five published by British writer, T.Z. Layton. It was first written for his son who could not find books about a sport that he loved. It took me no time to read it as the pages are filled with action and will have high appeal for middle grade sports enthusiasts.
Leo K. Doyle is cast as the main character. He is a star player in his Ohio hometown, and catches the attention of a visiting scout. Through the scout, Leo is invited to attend an exclusive soccer camp in England for the summer. 200 excellent soccer players are on the roster; only 11 will make the team. All invited players are doing their best to find a spot on that team.
The book's focus is clearly on the game itself: plays, players, competition, skills, techniques, coaching and strategies. It is an action-packed look at the sport and offers many tense moments on the soccer pitch as the games are well described. Along the way, besides the challenges that come with the competition to be the best, Leo faces homesickness, bullying, and other issues inherent to adolescent boys. Leo knows that he is not as good as the best players, but he is prepared to do his best and work hard. After a month of intense training, he makes inroads with players and coaches for his skills on and off the pitch. These set him apart from some of the other players.
Descriptions are convincingly written and make for a fast-paced adventure. When it's all said and done, Leo flies home to Ohio, arriving just as a surprise twist sets both Leo and readers on a slow wait for the sequel.
"Here's the thing. Earning a spot on the Knights
was a big deal, but I quickly learned that it was
only the first step. Nothing was guaranteed.
Nothing was easy. In fact, trying to become a
starter on the Knights squad and playing in
the U14 Premier League was even harder than
making it through the London Dragons
Summer Academy. Now I was competing every
day against players who were already on the
team from the year before or who were the best
players at their own summer academy camps."
Luckily for keen readers, books I and II have been released in paperback this year. Once the first is devoured in quick time, the next one is ready for purchase. After returning home, Leo finds himself invited to be on the roster of the U14 Lewisham Knights, a youth squad in the Premier League. It is the worst team in the league, and Leo has not made a starting position.
If they don't find themselves in a winning position soon, the owner is threatening to give the team up. What will happen to Leo's dream of being a professional soccer player? There are other issues as well: grades, friendships with kids in a new country, an unreasonable coach and, once again, feeling homesick.
Fans can expect to learn more about Leo and his work to help his team. As happened in the first, there is plenty of action on the pitch, and off. They will not be disappointed with this winning sequel. Following finishing the second book, they can look forward to reading The Academy III, IV and V.
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