Saving the Team

Gr 4–6—This formulaic story follows 12-year-old Devin, who has just left her friends and soccer team behind, moving cross country with her family. There is a lot of expected angst in the beginning of the story. Will she like her new school? Make new friends? And since California is known for producing superstar soccer players, will she even make the team? While quickly learning the ropes at her new school and instantly making friends-and perhaps even gaining a boyfriend-the plot twist is revealed: Devin's new soccer team isn't great at all-in fact, it is downright bad. Throw in a bossy/bully older teammate as cocaptain against Devin, and the rest of the blanks will be easily filled in by most readers. Despite its predictability, the novel conveys some solid messages about teamwork and assertiveness. Purchase where there is a demand for sports stories with strong female role models.—Lisa Kropp, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY