Second-Chance Soccer

by Thomas Kingsley Troupe, Michael John Ray (Illustrator)

Alex has wanted to be a member of the Longhorn Lightning soccer team for as long as he can remember. But after his embarrassing performace at last year's tryouts, he's not sure if the risk is worth the reward. When a new friend offers to help him practice, Alex is tempted to try again. Can his new friend help him make the team, or will Alex's second chance also be his last? 

Genres: Sports

96 pages, Library Binding

First published July 1, 2014

Reviews

[Cole M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book I read is Second-Chance Soccer by Jack Maddox. The Lexile number is 4.6. The book is about a 7th grader named Alex who loves soccer, he wants to tryout for the varsity team but lacks confidence until he meets Errol a foreign exchange student who offers to help him train for tryouts.
Alex wants so badly to get on the varsity team. Last year in 6th grade he was on the team. Jake, another student his class, bullied him and made fun of his soccer skills. He said there was no way he would make the varsity team. Then Alex meets Errol who offers to train him for tryouts. Errol played soccer in Scotland where he used to live and is very good. The two train everyday after school, and Alex works hard to improve everyday. On the day of tryouts Alex was very nervous, but he knew he worked hard and never gave up trying and knew if he didn’t make the varsity team he would still be able to play on the team from last year. Alex learns that no matter what anyone says to you if you work hard, and try your best anything can happen. He never gave up and in the end he ended up making the team because he improved his skills and he was a good person to everyone. A good lesson to remember is never give up on your dreams. Another lesson is not to bully people.
I really liked the book because I like soccer and can relate to the story. I Know what it feels like when you get nervous and I know it takes a lot of hard work to be good. I would recommend this to people who enjoy the sport of soccer.

[Jtimko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex desperately wants to be a member of the junior high soccer team. But after a disastrous showing at last year’s tryouts, he is reluctant to try out this year. With the help of a foreign student and a lot of hard work, he just misses the team. Until the star soccer player bullies him in front of the coach and the star is dropped from the team and Alex is subbed in.
This is similar to the elementary series of Jake Maddox sports books but with a twist. The story line is aimed at a more mature set of readers and contains more mature subject matter. Written at the same level as the original series, this would appeal to reluctant readers. Though there is nothing objectionable in this volume, younger readers would also enjoy the book. Recommended. Grades 4 through 6.

[Carson Hasenmayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was very interesting. One reason I thought this was interesting was because Alex never gives up on something that he really wants which is playing for the Longhorn Lightning varsity soccer team even though last year he had an embarrassing performance. I like how Alex works really hard before the tryouts because it's his dream to make the team. One thing at the end of the book, I really like is how even though Jake makes fun of him, Alex keeps his maturity and congratulates Jake and luckily enough it messes with Jake and he gets kicked off the team and Alex becomes a Longhorn Lightning team member.