Soccer Step-Up — Jake Maddox

Hotshot forward Melina Stern is ready to start her last season of middle school soccer. But there's a problem. There won't be a middle school team this year! The program has been cut due to budget constraints, and the girls are forced to try out for the high school JV team. At first Melina is secretly excited for the tougher gameplay, but when the older girls begin teasing her relentlessly, she struggles to hold her own on the field. Now Melina is doubting her skills ― and her love for soccer. Can Melina perform like the talented striker she is, and can the girls ever play like a true team? A glossary, writing prompts, discussion questions, and bonus soccer facts make this action-packed sports story as engaging and educational as it is exciting.