Everyone expected Leon Kline, anchor for the 4x100 sprint relay, to secure Gilburn High's spot in the record books. But a freak accident on the final stretch changes everything. Suddenly his future is gone. No more running, no scholarship, no college. But then he meets sassy and straight-talking Casey De Vries, and life doesn't look quite so bleak. She even gets him running again. He can't sprint anymore, but he can handle longer distances. As he gets to know Casey better, he realizes that something is not quite right. How can he help her if she won't tell him what’s going on?

---

"This is a solid book with contemporary themes and it works well…Leon is well fleshed out as a character."

---

"Spreen Bates deftly takes the reader through the ups and downs of growing up. She expertly portrays real life struggles without making them too cliché. Moreover, in Leon Kline, we have found a character for whom the reader is willing to root."

---

"Sports fans will be drawn to the book by it's subject matter. The fully developed characters and story line packs a punch."

---

Warum ist im Wappen von Manchester United ein Teufel abgebildet? Welcher Club hat die Maxime »Droit au but« (sinngemäß: »direkt zum Tor hin«)? Und wessen Emblem zeigt einen Bären und einen Erdbeerbaum? Von Newcastle United’s Seepferdchen bis zur Königskrone von Real Madrid, den gekreuzten Hämmern von West Ham United über Valencias berühmtes Fledermausdesign und St. Paulis inoffizielles Schädel- und Knochenemblem – hinter jedem Fußballwappen verbirgt sich eine spannende Geschichte.

In diesem Buch findet der Leser alles über Design, Symbolik und Bedeutung der berühmtesten Vereinswappen des Weltfußballs. Dabei zeigt sich, dass die spannend zu lesende Darstellung der Entwicklung vom ursprünglichen Design bis zum aktuellen Erscheinungsbild häufig auch einiges über die unterschiedlichsten Kontroversen im Weltfußball verrät. Nach der Lektüre sieht man viele Ikonen der Fußballgeschichte mit ganz neuen Augen

---

Jack’s a star player on an elite soccer team along with his brother, Alex. The Lancers are on top of the league, even favored to win the National Championship. But the game’s about to change. A slick bookie wins Jack’s friendship and introduces him to illegal betting. Before long, Jack is hooked on the adrenaline rush, and early wins convince him that gambling could make him rich. Meanwhile, an ever-widening rift is forming between the two brothers. Suddenly, Jack’s “system” fails and his luck runs out. How could a few losses pile up to a gut-kicking ten grand? When he can’t pay, the bookie gives Jack one way out—throw the National Championship. But can he betray his brother, his team and himself?

---

"A very compelling story with interesting characters that kept this reader wanting to read more. 'Connor deals with topics that would be well worth discussing with almost any teen: the value of team-work; honesty; and ethics. I will certainly include Betting Game in our curriculum resource collection and would recommend it for other school libraries as well. Highly Recommended."

---

"Tight and authentic sports action combined with engaging characters make this title great for sports fans as well as readers who enjoy action and drama."

---

"A fast paced, entertaining read that will really appeal to all soccer players, both boys and girls, especially those struggling to sustain a reading habit. This book can’t be put down. The soccer scenes are action packed. The boys’ references to world renowned soccer players will engage readers while the emotional pressure to get along on a team will resonate with all athletes."

---

"The fast-paced writing has enough soccer action to keep reluctant readers turning the pages, and the gambling intrigue, along with a side plot involving a new player on Jack’s team, adds to the increasing conflict...The tone, dialogue, and emotional stakes ring true. A solid pick for hi-lo sports fiction."

---

"O’Connor will keep the game’s fans close with plenty of in-the-know soccer patter, but she will also draw other readers with the story of Jack’s slow absorption into a gambling...Hard-hitting...and as memorable as a prison tour for young men who think crime is a sport and a joke."

---

A unique and comprehensive look at the Seattle Sounders franchise and its storied run for the Cup

The Seattle Sounders were a sensation from the start, attracting crowds of sizes unlike any MLS team had ever seen. By the 2016 season, Seattle was averaging more than 42,000 fans per home game, the most of any soccer team in the Western Hemisphere, and more than behemoths like Chelsea F.C. and A.C. Milan overseas. But, for all of its early consistent success, Seattle had yet to actually win the league.

In order to reach the ambitious goals the club set for itself, the Sounders needed the jolt of a championship. To get there would require tumult previously unknown to a club built on stability, a clash of egos, and a title run so unlikely it could hardly have been scripted. This is a Cinderella story for all MLS fans and every Sounder at heart.

Murphy's mother has just moved him and their cat, Mousetrap, back to the reserve in Port Alberni. Although he belongs to the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation, Murphy is sure that he won't fit in, and he worries about Mousetrap, who has always been an indoor cat. When a bunch of local boys drag him to their soccer practice, put him in goal and pelt him with balls, he believes that his worst fear has come true. However, he seems to be discovering a new talent at the same time. And perhaps he has misjudged. Being a light-skinned city boy thrust onto a reserve far from the city is not easy, but maybe Murphy has what it takes.

---

Del plays striker on his high school soccer team, the Cardinals, and they’ve gone almost three seasons undefeated. To Del, it’s just a game, but some of the players think winning is all that matters. When an ugly tackle results in a major loss for the Cardinals against their main rival, the Rebels, things get heated between the teams. That night, one of Del’s teammates has his ankle broken by an unknown assailant, leaving him unable to take part in the playoffs.

As Del tries to figure out which of the Rebels’ players is responsible for the attack, his coach brings in a substitute player, and he’s actually really good. Is it just a coincidence, or did someone finally take the above all else mentality too far?

---

"A fast-paced mystery with some excellent dialogue, action scenes, and an important message: one should not jump to conclusions and/or judge others until all of the evidence is in."

---

"Part detective story, part teenage romance, part reality show, and quite an entertaining quick read. Author Jeff Ross obviously knows his subject, audience and characters very well."

---

Laura finds out that, Ricky, the boy who created her horrible nickname, "Lard Butt," has moved back into town—and immediately schemes to keep him quiet. After all, she can't let her new swim teammates, especially drool-worthy Noah, hear the horrible name! No way! She's determined to put a million years between grade school and junior high—even in the face of a father who drives an éclair, a would-be-movie-star mother who suddenly moves back home, and a past that comes back to haunt her with the dreaded nickname. Although Laura's embarrassed about how she looks in a swimsuit, she tries to stay true to her vow to take risks. She even lets Maria talk her into going to the school dance, where she braves negotiating a truce for a quarreling couple. New friendships form, Laura's mother starts getting too domesticated for Laura's comfort, and hints of romance start to develop—or do they?

---

This book should be read by ALL girls no matter what age they are, even if it means reading the book to each other so girls can understand each other's feelings…

---

Izzy and Julia have been on the same team for years. Izzy is frustrated that Julia spends too much time cherry-picking and getting all the credit when they score. But when someone starts threatening the team and their home field is sabotaged, the friends must work together to find the answers. Why would someone threaten their star player? And what is the connection to a century-old train robbery and the rumor of buried treasure? Trying to solve the mystery and keep the team in the playoff race, Izzy and Julia find themselves in deeper than they thought, and in more danger than they imagined.

---

"A very interesting read...offers something for the sports-minded with a little intrigue and suspense thrown in. Highly Recommended."

---

"The combination of sports drama and unique mystery story [is] very compelling...an engaging read."

---

"Wenn Sie dieses Spiel atemberaubend finden, haben Sie es an den Bronchien" Marcel Reif

Von "Der Oberarm gehört zur Hand" (Béla Réthy) über "Da geht er, ein großer Spieler. Ein Mann wie Steffi Graf" (Jörg Dahlmann) bis "Wer hinten so offen ist, kann nicht ganz dicht sein" (Werner Hansch): Fußball ist ein schwieriges Spiel, und dieses unterhaltsame Buch zeigt, dass Reporter am Mikrofon es selten einfacher, häufig aber lustiger, kurioser und manchmal unvergesslich machen.

Die schönsten O-Töne aus den Fußballstadien dieser Welt, nicht mehr, aber auch nicht weniger, denn: "Auch wenn er über links kommt, hat er nur einen rechten Fuß" (Gerd Rubenbauer).

Band 2 der Mädchenfußballserie mit Tipps & Tricks der Ex-Nationalspielerin Nia Künzer:

Die Fortuna Girls lassen sich von ihrer Niederlage gegen die Jungs nicht unterkriegen. Gemeinsam bringen sie ihren Treffpunkt, den alten Kahn am Hafen, auf Vordermann und trainieren in jeder freien Minute. Nach einem Sieg gegen ein anderes Mädchenteam überbringt Benni eine Einladung zu einem neuen Duell.

Dabei ist er so süß, dass sich Felicitas gegen ihren Willen in ihn verliebt - ausgerechnet in den Anführer ihrer Gegner. Aber was soll's: Gefühle kann man nicht beeinflussen, oder? Doch meint Benni es wirklich ernst?