Soccer Switch

Description: Andre Makuza is excited for another championship season with his middle school summer soccer team. But a new coach is taking over, his unusual training methods have the team feeling frustrated.

Brief description: Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler - or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps - literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers.

Review Quotes: The straightforward writing, easygoing lesson, fast-paced soccer action, and animated, expressive panels make this particularly inviting for reluctant readers, and some closing comprehension questions will make teachers happy. Kids who can't get enough Jake Maddox will appreciate this refreshing format, and soccer fans might get a kick out of the handful of instructions for soccer moves in the back matter.-- "Booklist Online"