The Story
Now a New York Times bestselling series! Fresh off his success with the junior national soccer team, Leo K. Doyle is back in England and playing for the U16s, where he'll be a newbie all over again.
Will Leo get any playing time? Can he work his way into a starting lineup filled with older, bigger, and more experienced players?
Unfortunately, the move to a new division might be the easy part. There's a new contender in the Youth Prem--the Southwark F.C. Scorpions--who have a roster full of superstars that play to win at any cost. They're the dirtiest, roughest team Leo has ever faced, led by an old enemy who cheats at every turn.
Meeting a pretty girl. An intense race for the title. Dealing with a tragedy that threatens to ruin the whole season.
Whew.
Playing at the highest level is never easy, but this might be Leo's toughest season yet. Can he and his friends overcome their challenges and make another run at the title?
The inspiring, action-packed sixth book in The Academy series perfect for young readers 7-13 and for sports fans of all ages.
Keep score with the other books in The Academy series:
- The Academy
- The Academy II: The Journey Continues
- The Academy III: Tournament of Champions
- The Academy IV: Title Fight
- The Academy V: Cup of Nations
Author: T. Z. Layton
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers
Published: 05/05/2026
Pages: 296
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.51h x 5.52w x 0.95d
ISBN: 9781464268335
Audience: Ages 9-12
About the Author
Layton, T. Z.: -
T.Z. LAYTON is the New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning Academy series, which has been optioned for film and sold translation rights around the world. The author writes adult fiction under Layton Green and is also a soccer dad, youth coach, former collegiate player, and lifelong fan of the beautiful game.
Description
Now a New York Times bestselling series! Fresh off his success with the junior national soccer team, Leo K. Doyle is back in England and playing for the U16s, where he'll be a newbie all over again.
Will Leo get any playing time? Can he work his way into a starting lineup filled with older, bigger, and more experienced players?
Unfortunately, the move to a new division might be the easy part. There's a new contender in the Youth Prem--the Southwark F.C. Scorpions--who have a roster full of superstars that play to win at any cost. They're the dirtiest, roughest team Leo has ever faced, led by an old enemy who cheats at every turn.
Meeting a pretty girl. An intense race for the title. Dealing with a tragedy that threatens to ruin the whole season.
Whew.
Playing at the highest level is never easy, but this might be Leo's toughest season yet. Can he and his friends overcome their challenges and make another run at the title?
The inspiring, action-packed sixth book in The Academy series perfect for young readers 7-13 and for sports fans of all ages.
Keep score with the other books in The Academy series:
- The Academy
- The Academy II: The Journey Continues
- The Academy III: Tournament of Champions
- The Academy IV: Title Fight
- The Academy V: Cup of Nations
Author: T. Z. Layton
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers
Published: 05/05/2026
Pages: 296
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.51h x 5.52w x 0.95d
ISBN: 9781464268335
Audience: Ages 9-12
About the Author
Layton, T. Z.: -
T.Z. LAYTON is the New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning Academy series, which has been optioned for film and sold translation rights around the world. The author writes adult fiction under Layton Green and is also a soccer dad, youth coach, former collegiate player, and lifelong fan of the beautiful game.
