“Perhaps most importantly, Javaherbin shows that being poor doesn’t stop people from having lives and dreams. A lovely story about soccer, gender, and hope.” — Kirkus Reviews When Paulo Marcelo Feliciano becomes a soccer star, crowds will cheer his famous name — and his mother won’t have to work long hours. For now, Paulo spends his days working on a fishing boat and taking care of his little sister, Maria: she teaches him reading, and he teaches her soccer moves. At the end of the day he can finally play soccer with his friends. But when a player on Paulo’s team is injured, will they finally change the rules and let a girl show her stuff? Set in a country whose resilient soccer stars are often shaped by poverty, this uplifting tale of transcending the expected scores a big win for all.

A soccer star and a kind-hearted artist find themselves on the same team, but love is a game they never planned on playing. Lucy Martin left her small hometown behind after her divorce. Now she's back, caring for her soccer-crazed nephew while his parents are deployed. She'd do anything to make him happy—including approaching her high school crush and current soccer superstar, Ryker James, for a favor. Nursing an injury, Ryker is laying low at his parents' house until he can rejoin his club and prove he has reformed his bad boy ways. When the sister of an old friend asks him to coach her nephew's soccer team, he should decline. But Lucy intrigues him, and he finds himself unable to disappoint her. Coaching forces them together and sparks fly—on and off the field. Lucy is wary of romance, and Ryker can’t afford a distraction. Before the final whistle blows, will they take a shot at love or forfeit the match?

Poppy isn't so sure about joining Millie's soccer team

Born in Argentina, soccer star Lionel Messi is most famous for being the best player on perhaps Spain's best team, FC Barcelona. During the 2011–12 season, Messi scored an astonishing 73 goals in 60 league games. When not on the pitch, Messi continues to amaze. Through his Leo Messi Foundation, he works to provide underprivileged children with access to education and healthcare. Readers will be both captivated by the action and touched by his rags-to-riches story.

Oscar is thrilled to be picked for the Johnsonville soccer team, but when his mother declares that he must miss his first game to attend a family celebration, his grandfather comes up with a winning plan.