Sourcebooks Young Readers
The Academy
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FROM THE PLAYGROUND TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE.
The inspiring, action-packed first book in The Academy series perfect for young readers 7-13 and sports fans of all ages.
Born and raised in a small town, twelve-year-old Leo K. Doyle has never seen the ocean or stepped foot on a plane. But Leo is a star soccer player with big dreams in life.
Rock star, Olympic gold, dragon-slaying dreams.
While Leo longs to make the pros one day, he has no idea how to achieve this goal--until a professional scout pays a chance visit to one of Leo's games and extends an invitation to try out for the London Dragons youth squad, known as the Academy.
Leo is stunned. The London Dragons isn't just any old soccer team. It's a world-famous English Premier League team. Soon Leo is off to a whole new country, embarking on the greatest adventure of his life. The downside? Only eleven players can make the team.
Eleven out of two hundred of the very best twelve-year-old players on the planet.
Along with the grueling competition, Leo must also face a bully intent on torpedoing his summer, a roomie who doesn't know how to have fun, a terrifying camp director, and, most of all, Leo's own lack of formal training and the fear he'll never succeed.
By the end of the summer, Leo will become a much better player and forever changed by his experience. But will he be good enough to make the Academy?
Keep score with the other books in The Academy series:
- The Academy II: The Journey Continues
- The Academy III: Tournament of Champions
- The Academy IV: Title Fight
- The Academy V: Cup of Nations
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Book Details
ISBN:
9781464267093
EAN:
9781464267093
Binding:
Hardcover
Pages:
304
Authors:
T Z Layton
Publisher:
Sourcebooks Young Readers
Published Date: 2025-02-09
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Read this book with my young soccer player and enjoyed the fast paced narrative and the positive message of perseverance and determination in working towards a goal.
If you like soccer exciting sports twist and turns this book definitely for you , 5 stars definitely getting the whole series as it comes out
Incredibly engaging. Clearly written by a "writer" that has created a captivating story, and not somebody who has a story but can't write (as I'm surprised to find is often the case with books for young people). My 10 year old soccer playing son loves it; I love it. We're both always eager to read more to see what's going to happen to our main-man, Leo. It's also good motivation - not heavy handed, but I do appreciate the time given to the difficulty and effort required of Leo to meet his goals. Get's my son thinking about such things, which I appreciate. Can't recommend enough.
My 9 year old son has absolutely loved the series and can’t wait for the sixth book to come out! We have read a chapter every night before he goes to bed, and it’s been a great bonding experience, I’ve become invested in the story too! Leo is easy to root for, and there’s plenty of funny bits interwoven throughout the inspiring story. We love it!
My grandson likes this series.
