Soccer Step-Up

By Jake Maddox

Hotshot forward Melina Stern is ready to start her last season of middle school soccer. But there's a problem. There won't be a middle school team this year! The program has been cut due to budget constraints, and the girls are forced to try out for the high school JV team. At first Melina is secretly excited for the tougher gameplay, but when the older girls begin teasing her relentlessly, she struggles to hold her own on the field. Now Melina is doubting her skills and her love for soccer. Can Melina perform like the talented striker she is, and can the girls ever play like a true team? A glossary, writing prompts, discussion questions, and bonus soccer facts make this action-packed sports story as engaging and educational as it is exciting.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: May 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781496591494

Jake Maddox

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.

Book preview

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