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About Kickers #1: The Ball Hogs
Product Description Introducing a soccer series for new readers Kickers #1 Nine-year-old Ben is brand-new to soccer, but he's a good athlete and knows he'll do well on the Bobcats, his team in the local Kickers soccer league. If he can only work around his obnoxious teammate Mark, the ball hog, Ben is sure he'll score his first goal. But Coach Patty, and Ben's own teammates, show him a little something about teamwork. And suddenly it dawns on him: he's a ball hog, too. Can he change his ways before the Bobcats lose their shot at the Kickers play-offs? Award-winning sports novelist Rich Wallace introduces the Kickers soccer series, filled with lively black-and-white art and fast-paced, on-the-field action. About the Author Rich Wallace is the acclaimed author of many books for young readers, including Wrestling Sturbridge, an ALA-YALSA Best of the Best Book for Young Adults; Shots on Goal, a Booklist Top 10 Sports Book for Youth; Perpetual Check; and the Winning Season series. He coached soccer for several years, beginning when his older son joined a team in kindergarten. Rich Wallace lives in New Hampshire with his wife, author Sandra Neil Wallace. You can visit him on the Web at www.richwallacebooks.com. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. CHAPTER ONE Like a Real Player "That kid is fast!" Ben said as a tall, thin boy ran across the soccer field. "He sure is," said Erin. "I hope he's on our team." "He must be," said Ben. "Why else would he be here?" But Ben hoped that the kid was not on their team. He had seen him at recess during school. Ben knew the kid's name was Mark, and he was a pain, and bossy. Once he'd called Ben "brush head" after his mom had cut his hair. But Ben liked his hair the new way. When it was longer, it would always get in his eyes. Ben put his foot on top of his soccer ball and rolled it around. "Let's practice," he said. He gave the ball a kick and it rolled toward Erin. Erin kicked at the ball, but it didn't go to Ben. It spun over to the side. Ben ran toward the ball, but the tall kid got to it first. He stopped it with his foot and grinned at Ben. But Ben didn't like the way he was smiling. He looked tough. He was big for nine. "Are you one of the Bobcats?" Mark asked. "Yes," Ben said. "So is she." Ben nodded toward Erin, who was walking over. "I hope you're good at dribbling," Mark said. "You're both kind of short. Especially her." Mark pointed at Erin. She was a few inches shorter than Mark, but she was a good athlete. Ben stepped between Mark and Erin. "This is our first time playing on a soccer team," he said. "We don't know if we're good at it or not." "Well, I'm good," Mark said. "I'll be the star of this team." Ben looked at Erin and smiled. He felt nervous and didn't know what else to do. Practice hadn't even started yet, and Mark was already acting like a big shot. A woman in a green T-shirt blew a whistle. "Over here, Bobcats," she said. "I'm your coach." Eight kids ran toward the woman, who was carrying a net bag filled with soccer balls. "Have any of you ever played soccer?" she asked. Several of the kids raised their hands. "On a real team?" she asked. Most of the kids put their hands down. "That's okay," she said. "I've never coached a real team, either." Mark's hand shot up again. "I was on a baseball team last summer," he said. "I was the best player." "That's good," the woman said. "My name is Patty. I played soccer in high school, but that was a long time ago. We'll all have fun learning about the game together." The Kickers League would include kids from all over town. Ben knew most of the players on his team from Kennedy Elementary School, but some of them went to Washington Elementary, on the other side of town. Coach Patty opened the bag and handed out balls. Ben kept his own ball, which had been a present for his ninth birthday. "Let's have a race," Coach said. "See that
