The Academy VI: Rise of the Scorpions

The Academy #6

by T.Z. Layton

Now a New York Times bestselling series! Fresh off his success with the junior national soccer team, Leo K. Doyle is back in England and playing for the U16s, where he'll be a newbie all over again.

Will Leo get any playing time? Can he work his way into a starting lineup filled with older, bigger, and more experienced players?

Unfortunately, the move to a new division might be the easy part. There's a new contender in the Youth Prem―the Southwark F.C. Scorpions―who have a roster full of superstars that play to win at any cost. They're the dirtiest, roughest team Leo has ever faced, led by an old enemy who cheats at every turn.

Meeting a pretty girl. An intense race for the title. Dealing with a tragedy that threatens to ruin the whole season.

Whew.

Playing at the highest level is never easy, but this might be Leo's toughest season yet. Can he and his friends overcome their challenges and make another run at the title?

The inspiring, action-packed sixth book in The Academy series perfect for young listeners 7-13 and for sports fans of all ages.

Genres: Childrens, Sports

296 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

T.Z. Layton is the award-winning author of the bestselling Academy series, which has been translated into multiple languages and optioned for film. The author is also a soccer dad, youth coach, referee, former collegiate player, and lifelong fan of the beautiful game.

To stay up to date on the Academy series and other stories by T.Z. Layton, it’s best to visit his website (tzlaytonbooks.com) and join his newsletter.

Reviews

[Paddy Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was another amazing book by T. Z. Layton! In this book, Leo starts his first season in the U16s and joins back up with his old friends. But a new team has risen, the Scorpions! They are the most powerful team in the league. And he is worried that he will not have his starting spot. But when some of the Scorpions come and play at the park, they win, but hurt one of the Knights players. The player gets a broken leg and has a deadly infection. Will Leo be able to survive the U16s and deal with his friend’s injury? Or will he be hurt too and not make it to the end?

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hurry up and make Book 7

Please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please make the next book in the series

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to get this DRC, and while I still really enjoyed it, as an adult reader, I occasionally found myself getting bored, especially in the first half of the book. Although the Scorpions were the antagonists in the book, I felt like the real emotional appeal didn't happen until an event later in the story. I wished for a bit more depth in Leo's responses as he remembered his mom's death (although I do realize that most 14-year-old boys aren't exactly skilled at dealing with emotions.) I didn't feel like there was as much character growth for Leo as in previous books in the series. I do know that my favorite series books growing up didn't have a lot of depth. At the same time, I did like that the ending wasn't totally predictable.

All that being said, I still spent an enjoyable evening reading this in one sitting and do want to keep following Leo's soccer/football career. I definitely recommend this where other series entries are popular. Just don't start with this volume.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving up in age class was a worry of Leo’s, as some players won’t get to come back and they are the smaller, younger ones of their age range. Will he make it? Will he get playing time? That might not be the only worry this season, as there is a new team in their division and they play rough and dirty. That isn’t all; there is a bad injury to one of the players that shakes up the whole team badly. If that all isn’t enough for Leo, should I mention there might be a pretty girl in his future?
This book is even more fast-paced than the first ones. We are now almost like family to the team as we have watched their ups and downs. Sometimes it is hard to watch, but other a joy; I am glad the coaches understand these are still just kids and need to do other things as well. I love the characters and, as always, the storyline from an old soccer player. I can relate with JoJo, but there really weren't any girls' teams to play on in my day.

[Rachel Praetorius · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is perfect with his crush and everything. I love how the new team was introduced and how Jon’s broken leg slowly got worse to a threat of dying instead of him just getting worse. I love the detail and how Leo got a red card and everything about it. I think in academy seven you should add more parties and time with his crush. I love how the scorpions coach dressed differently and gave commands and how they were a loaded team and probably would’ve won without flopping but flopped.

[Mo Holub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo's first season in the U16's comes with new teammates, new challenges, and new enemies...who are the Southwark FC Scorpions, and what will it take to beat them? What if everything Leo has isn't enough?

Even as Leo pushes hard and leaves it all on the pitch, this season might teach him the most important lesson of all: sometimes winning is about more than the score at the end of the match.

[Alissa Beers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed reading the Academy series alongside my soccer-loving son and getting to talk with him about each book afterward. He’s already counting down the days until the next one is released! Book 3 is still our favorite so far, but this one was another fun and engaging read for young soccer fans.

[Henry Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of his books!!

[Maite Boudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10 year old boy gives this book 5 stars and more :)
« He really enjoyed how the bond between everyone in Lewisham knight is very strong. » How happy he was to read the newest story :)

[igor sirotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book out there

This is by far the best series of book out there for young readers highly recommend it and have lots of respect for Mr. Layton.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie gave it a 5. 4 for me!

[Adam Rozeboom · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5