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Soccer Hero
Rob Lasher is just an ordinary soccer player, good at the game, but not great. Then one afternoon, he saves his coach's life in front of all his teammates. Suddenly, he's the team's hero. As some members of his team and the rest of the town continue to laud Rob's heroic act, Rob realizes he doesn't want the attention and any unearned accolades that come with it. Kids will learn that doing what is right should be the norm, not the exception.
Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2007
25 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie True Peters
126 books9 followers“By all appearances, I am a typical suburban mother,” reports Stephanie True Peters. “I’m forty-three, have two children, Jackson, age 11, and Chloe, age 9, and a husband, Dan, who to me seems ageless. I live in a nice neighborhood in a town just far enough south of Boston to be considered the boonies. I do the grocery shopping, the cleaning (well, sometimes), go to the gym, and operate the ride-on lawnmower with some regularity. Yes, I fit the role of typical suburban mother to a T.
“Perhaps this explains the surprised reactions I receive when I tell people that I write children’s books. ‘You do? Really?’ their raised eyebrows and open mouths seem to say. Then come the usual questions: ‘Have you ever been published? Would I know anything you’ve done?’
“I have, and I certainly hope you recognize the titles of some of my books. (If not, feel free to pick one up sometime—or two, or three . . .)
“That I am able to spend my days at such work is, on the whole, wonderful. I lose myself for hours in imagined scenarios, made-up people, or buried in research into a fascinating topic. I’m here when my kids and husband need me and can take a day off when I need some ‘me’ time. Sometimes I miss the office life I had years ago, when I was an editor at Little, Brown Children’s Books. Then I compare my commute then (a long ride on public transportation) versus now (a short climb up a flight of stairs) and realize just how lucky I am.
“Yet if it hadn’t been for those years with Little, Brown, I wouldn’t have been part of this amazing White House book. It was my old colleague and friend, Hilary Van Dusen, who contacted me about the project. She wanted to include a piece on sports and the presidency. She knew I was tapped into the sports scene because I had edited many of Matt Christopher’s sports books while at Little, Brown—and more recently, had been ghostwriting them.
“In the course of my research for the piece, I learned that many U.S. presidents had ties to the baseball, starting as far back as George Washington. But the story that stuck with me was the one that now appears in the book – the first World Series game to take place after the tragic events of 9/11, and George W. Bush’s throwing of the game’s first pitch.
“Perhaps this explains the surprised reactions I receive when I tell people that I write children’s books. ‘You do? Really?’ their raised eyebrows and open mouths seem to say. Then come the usual questions: ‘Have you ever been published? Would I know anything you’ve done?’
“I have, and I certainly hope you recognize the titles of some of my books. (If not, feel free to pick one up sometime—or two, or three . . .)
“That I am able to spend my days at such work is, on the whole, wonderful. I lose myself for hours in imagined scenarios, made-up people, or buried in research into a fascinating topic. I’m here when my kids and husband need me and can take a day off when I need some ‘me’ time. Sometimes I miss the office life I had years ago, when I was an editor at Little, Brown Children’s Books. Then I compare my commute then (a long ride on public transportation) versus now (a short climb up a flight of stairs) and realize just how lucky I am.
“Yet if it hadn’t been for those years with Little, Brown, I wouldn’t have been part of this amazing White House book. It was my old colleague and friend, Hilary Van Dusen, who contacted me about the project. She wanted to include a piece on sports and the presidency. She knew I was tapped into the sports scene because I had edited many of Matt Christopher’s sports books while at Little, Brown—and more recently, had been ghostwriting them.
“In the course of my research for the piece, I learned that many U.S. presidents had ties to the baseball, starting as far back as George Washington. But the story that stuck with me was the one that now appears in the book – the first World Series game to take place after the tragic events of 9/11, and George W. Bush’s throwing of the game’s first pitch.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 29, 2015
I liked this book because it shows that just because you did something good doesn't mean you want to be a hero. This book is a perfect example of that.
June 26, 2017
Soccer Hero Book Review
Soccer Hero Written by Matt Christopher written and publish on 1st Sep. 2007 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers was an interesting book about a young boy named Rob Lasher (the main character) who is seen as a “hero” in his town and some of his teammates Benji, Dmitri, Scott and Coach Brennan. The novel is a sports genre and is set at the soccer pitch and occasionally at the players school.
Matt Christopher the author of ‘Soccer Hero’ was born August 16, 1917 in Bath, Pennsylvania, United Staes. Before writing the novel ‘Soccer Hero’ Matt had his mind set on other things as he was playing baseball for a Class C minor-league team in Smith Falls, Ontario. Also selling umbrellas, driving trucks and working in theatres. Matt started on his writing career in 1940, when he wrote many sports novels for children. Detective Box Magazine accepted Matt’s novel in 1943, His first the children's novel was The Lucky Baseball Bat, published in 1954 and was in print for over 20 years. Matt Christopher then became a best-selling author fro children writing over fifty sports novels and is now know for his love of sport. Some of his work consists of Baseball Turnaround, Soccer duel, Slam Dunk and Catch That Pass. He wrote up to 78 novels overall and 250 magazine short stories. Matt sadly passes away 20 September 1997.
Rob Lasher is just an ordinary soccer play for the pirates soccer team, good at the game, but not the best. Until Rob saves the life on his coach in front of his teams mates and members of the town and the becomes the team’s hero. Rob is constantly applauded by all, but he finds out he doesn’t want the attention and doesn’t deserve it.
My favourite part of the book was when the team worked out all the problems about who their coach would be and who would be captain. I liked this part of the book as it was enjoyable and I liked reading about the team playing well together and winning their games “Coach Stan was bubbling with excitement, saying over and over how pleased he was to be apart of such a terrific team”.
I enjoyed reading the novel and I kept wanting to know what would happen next, to keep of turning the page. But at times the book did drag a little bit as they would always have to deal with the same problems.
I would recommend this book to anyone who plays sports (most preferably soccer players) between the ages of 8 - 14 years old as it is enjoy for all people and is an easy read. Some other novels similar would be any spots novel written by Matt Christopher.
Soccer Hero Written by Matt Christopher written and publish on 1st Sep. 2007 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers was an interesting book about a young boy named Rob Lasher (the main character) who is seen as a “hero” in his town and some of his teammates Benji, Dmitri, Scott and Coach Brennan. The novel is a sports genre and is set at the soccer pitch and occasionally at the players school.
Matt Christopher the author of ‘Soccer Hero’ was born August 16, 1917 in Bath, Pennsylvania, United Staes. Before writing the novel ‘Soccer Hero’ Matt had his mind set on other things as he was playing baseball for a Class C minor-league team in Smith Falls, Ontario. Also selling umbrellas, driving trucks and working in theatres. Matt started on his writing career in 1940, when he wrote many sports novels for children. Detective Box Magazine accepted Matt’s novel in 1943, His first the children's novel was The Lucky Baseball Bat, published in 1954 and was in print for over 20 years. Matt Christopher then became a best-selling author fro children writing over fifty sports novels and is now know for his love of sport. Some of his work consists of Baseball Turnaround, Soccer duel, Slam Dunk and Catch That Pass. He wrote up to 78 novels overall and 250 magazine short stories. Matt sadly passes away 20 September 1997.
Rob Lasher is just an ordinary soccer play for the pirates soccer team, good at the game, but not the best. Until Rob saves the life on his coach in front of his teams mates and members of the town and the becomes the team’s hero. Rob is constantly applauded by all, but he finds out he doesn’t want the attention and doesn’t deserve it.
My favourite part of the book was when the team worked out all the problems about who their coach would be and who would be captain. I liked this part of the book as it was enjoyable and I liked reading about the team playing well together and winning their games “Coach Stan was bubbling with excitement, saying over and over how pleased he was to be apart of such a terrific team”.
I enjoyed reading the novel and I kept wanting to know what would happen next, to keep of turning the page. But at times the book did drag a little bit as they would always have to deal with the same problems.
I would recommend this book to anyone who plays sports (most preferably soccer players) between the ages of 8 - 14 years old as it is enjoy for all people and is an easy read. Some other novels similar would be any spots novel written by Matt Christopher.
January 23, 2018
Soccer Hero was a good book, but I wish it was a little bit longer. Besides that it is a great book. Rob Lasher saves the life of Coach Brennan, But unfortunately, Coach Brennan has to retire from coach of the pirates due to his heart attack. Rob gets his story all over the newspaper and is a local hero, but there still is a problem. The Pirates need a new coach. Thanks to the newspaper article Coach Benoit is there coach, but he knows nothing about soccer. So they select Benji -a true leader of their team- to be their captain. Eventually, the pirates are restored and go on to be a very successful team.
October 12, 2025
This is another book by Matt Christopher on soccer.
The hero of this book is Rob Lasher. He becomes a hero because when his soccer coach - Coach Brennan - suffers a heart attack - Rob performs CPR and saves his life.
A reporter interviews him and after that he feels that his life has become miserable. Everyone calls him a hero. He becomes Captain of his soccer team under the new coach
The hero of this book is Rob Lasher. He becomes a hero because when his soccer coach - Coach Brennan - suffers a heart attack - Rob performs CPR and saves his life.
A reporter interviews him and after that he feels that his life has become miserable. Everyone calls him a hero. He becomes Captain of his soccer team under the new coach
November 16, 2018
The book was good and all but I think that the plot lasted so little! I didn’t enjoy it much because it was mostly just practice. Although good dialogue I am a little edgy about recommending it. But if you like soccer you would like this book. I like soccer and I liked it a little. But overall I would give a 75%
January 29, 2019
The beginning, middle and end were very interesting in this book. Once I got the book, I couldn’t stop reading especially when the kid saving the coaches life. This book was rated 4/5 because it wasn’t 100% interesting. It was 89% interesting because the middle kind of bore me but I’m the end, it is very cool. Amen. Happy.
February 15, 2019
I like the action and story of this book. It goes from a kid saving his coach to getting hated on. It shows how Rob bounces back from that event. I like how the author narrates the soccer scenes and how fast-paced it is. Rob puts his team above himself by stepping down from a captain position that requires leadership.
March 15, 2019
A kid saving his coach to getting hated on, it means a lot. It shows how Rob rebounds back from that event. I adore how the author visualizes the game scenes and how fast-paced they are. Rob puts his team above his own position. I recommend this book to everyone because it gives lot of great lessons.
August 30, 2018
Enjoyed reading about soccer.
March 13, 2023
I remember reading this as a kid, and the only thing I remember was that the heart attack scene traumatized me lmao, even though the couch survives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2024
I used this to tutor a reluctant reader, and he fell in love with it!!
March 29, 2015
Soccer Hero: This book was about a boy named rob who loved to play the great sport of soccer but at his first soccer practice of the season something bad happened! His coach had a heart attack but rob, with great instinct saved his life! Once the coach got to the hospital he was fine but now the team had not coach! They put a article in the newspaper asking for a new coach and they got one! His name was Coach Stan! At the second game of the year there old coach came and watched their game and they won for the coach!
My opinion for this book is a good one because it kept me in to the book with all of the action but at some points it was scary that he was going to die. It was very good though. I like soccer so I understood exactly what was happening.
My recommendation for this book is for the people of the age from 10-16 and people that like sports and like action. If they don't know anything about soccer it might not be very understanding but it would still be very good for them! It's a great book!
My opinion for this book is a good one because it kept me in to the book with all of the action but at some points it was scary that he was going to die. It was very good though. I like soccer so I understood exactly what was happening.
My recommendation for this book is for the people of the age from 10-16 and people that like sports and like action. If they don't know anything about soccer it might not be very understanding but it would still be very good for them! It's a great book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 21, 2011It a good book so far
October 10, 2016
It was an okay book, I liked it but I didn't think it was very good. The storyline was the part I didn't like. The reason I read it was because it's about soccer.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews