Soccerland

"Soccerland" by Beth Choat is a terrific sports story for girls. I don't know much about soccer, but the basics, and still thoroughly enjoyed the story of Flora's experiences at the International Sports Academy.

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8–Flora Dupre loves soccer, and before her mom died of cancer, she made a promise that one day she was going to play for the U.S. Women's National Team. She dominates the team at her secondary school, but she is not being challenged, and she longs to play with more seasoned players than those in her little Maine town. She gets her chance when her coach tells her that she has been invited to Colorado for a two-week National Team Identification Camp, where she quickly finds out that things are quite different in the big leagues. The head coach seems to have it in for her with constant criticism; a clique of mean girls makes fun of her large stature; and she feels very alone in the pool of 100 girls who are just as determined as she is to get one of the few spots on the Under-15 national team. Choat's background in sports journalism is obvious. While soccer action takes precedence over any deep character development, readers will enjoy following Flora's new friendships, budding romance, and changing relationship with her father. Themes of sportsmanship and the mental and physical aspects of training are subtly woven into the story line.

There are a lot of sports-minded females at Cavallini. I hope they will give this book a chance. It celebrates the great values of an athlete in the most positive way.