{"product_id":"the-academy-a-middle-grade-soccer-adventure","title":"The Academy: A Middle Grade Soccer Adventure","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook info:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Academy: A Middle Grade Soccer Adventure (Hardcover, 304 pages) – Sourcebooks Young Readers, 2025. Language: English.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFROM THE PLAYGROUND TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow a New York Times bestselling series! The inspiring, action-packed first book, perfect for young readers 7-13 and sports fans of all ages. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBorn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRock star, Olympic gold, dragon-slaying dreams.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLeo 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEleven out of two hundred of the very best twelve-year-old players on the planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlong 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy 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?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep score with the other books in The Academy series:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Academy II: The Journey Continues\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Academy III: Tournament of Champions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Academy IV: Title Fight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Academy V: Cup of Nations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e  \n\n                                         Editorial Reviews                   Review   \u003cp\u003e\"A page-turner for soccer-mad readers, whether fans or players.\" ― Kirkus Reviews\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eNew York Times Bestseller\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest Kids Books (Barnes \u0026amp; Nobles)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJunior Library Guild Fall Selection\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMorning Calm Award (Korea Librarians Association)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Most Anticipated Fall Books for Young Readers\" (Kirkus)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e50 Books Kids Love Most (The Week Junior Magazine)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNew England Indie Bestsellers List\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The Best New Books for Kids Published in 2025\" (The Strategist)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest Books of the Year (Indigo)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePublisher’s Weekly Bestseller\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Nothing is more exciting than finding that book that opens the door for undiscovered readers into the world of stories and personal connection. The Academy by T.Z. Layton is one of those books and deserves to be shared with young sports oriented readers.\" ―Brein Lopez, Children's Book World (Los Angeles, CA)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Young readers continue reading this series, asking for the next one and the one after that...Equally important, this series fills a gap in middle grade literature: action filled, fast-paced sports novels featuring young players.”\u003cp\u003e ― Maria Salvadore, Politics \u0026amp; Prose (Washington, DC)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A solid purchase for soccer players and fans who are looking for middle grade books about their favorite game\" ―  School Library Journal\u003c\/p\u003e           About the Author   \u003cp\u003eT.Z. LAYTON is the New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning Academy series, which has been optioned for film and sold translation rights around the world. The author writes adult fiction under Layton Green and is also a soccer dad, youth coach, former collegiate player, and lifelong fan of the beautiful game.\u003c\/p\u003e                                           ","brand":"T.Z. Layton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46070490431722,"sku":"9781464267093","price":14.67,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0714\/5301\/6298\/files\/816UYnrqs8L._SL1500.jpg?v=1781265444","url":"https:\/\/textbookme.store\/products\/the-academy-a-middle-grade-soccer-adventure","provider":"TextbookMe","version":"1.0","type":"link"}