Keeper — Mal Peet

When Paul Faustino of LA NACION flips on his tape recorder for an exclusive interview with El Gato -- the phenomenal goalkeeper who single-handedly brought his team the World Cup -- the seasoned reporter quickly learns that this will be no ordinary story. Instead, the legendary El Gato narrates a spellbinding tale that begins in the South American rainforest, where a ghostly but very real mentor, the Keeper, emerges to teach a poor, gawky boy the most thrilling secrets of the game. A seamless blend of magic realism and exhilarating soccer action, this evocative novel will haunt readers long after the story ends.