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Searching... Oakdale Library | J FICTION COY | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Just before they're due to start middle school, Jackson, Gig, Isaac, and Diego, four sports-loving friends, all attend the same weeklong soccer camp. Diego is an experienced soccer player, and Gig has a natural ability for the sport he never realized. But Jackson and Isaac are split into another group of players--a group with younger, smaller kids. For the first time, both boys aren't the stars of their team. In fact, they can't seem to get a handle on soccer. At the same time, Jackson is having a hard time getting a handle on his mom's deepening relationship with her boyfriend, and her suggestion that they move in with him. And Gig is worried about his father's deployment to Afghanistan.
Here is a story about how life, like sports, can be unpredictable, frustrating, and exhilarating.
Author Notes
John Coy is the aware-winning author of picture books (including Night Driving , illustrated by Peter McCarty), young adult novels, and the 4 for 4 middle-grade series. He live in Minneapolis and travels to schools nationaly and internationally. Visit him online at www.johncoy.com.
Reviews (4)
Horn Book Review
Soon-to-be-sixth-grader Jackson (Top of the Order) is psyched to go to soccer camp with his three best friends. But the novice player starts to sour on the sport when he finds himself struggling during practices. Some subplots (Jackson's mother has a boyfriend; a friend's father is getting deployed to Afghanistan) aren't fully developed, but the ins and outs of friendship are realistically depicted. Copyright 2010 of The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
This second book in the 4 for 4 series (after Top of the Order, 2009), finds the quartet of Jackson, Gig, Isaac, and Diego readying for a trip to soccer camp, even though except for Diego, they're more taken by sports that don't bafflingly forbid the use of hands. Like before, Coy includes some issues for character depth, from Gig's father being sent to Afghanistan to Jackson maybe having to move in with his mom's new boyfriend, but these take a firm backseat to the action on the field, which Coy describes with straightforward, articulate prose. Light, enjoyable reading for those downtimes between sports seasons.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2010 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Jackson Kennedy has finished fifth grade, along with Diego, Gig, and Isaac. Diego, an experienced player, has convinced them all to attend a weeklong summer soccer camp at a local college. Initially, the boys are put on separate teams, because Jackson and Isaac are new to the sport. After enjoyable episodes with an alleged ghost and some girl interest, the four work together when Diego convinces a counselor to let them all play as a team for the final tournament. These friends exhibit a good sense of humor along with authentic-sounding complaints and bickering about playing and learning new skills. Personalities are further developed as Jackson finds his niche as a goalie and Diego exhibits humility as well as problem-solving talents on the field. Coy has created a story of just the right length to keep his fans engaged. It is not necessary to have read Top of the Order (Feiwel & Friends, 2009) to appreciate this one. Hints of fall football in middle school indicate that a third book is to follow.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
School's out, fifth grade is over and best friends Jackson, Gig, Isaac and Diego are off to soccer camp. In this second of a four-book, four-sport series, following Top of the Order (2009), Coy offers another successful story of sports and friends, which, like all good sports stories, transcends sports to represent a slice of real life. Jackson wonders about his life now that his mother has a new boyfriend, Gig worries about his father's deployment to Afghanistan and suddenly the boys are noticing girls. At camp, the difficulties provoked when Diego and Gig are placed in a more advanced level are balanced against the boys' efforts to investigate some possible ghosts. The author captures the fifth graders' sensibility, language and loyalty to each other through Jackson's direct, present-tense narration, and short, simple sentences, lots of dialogue and plenty of soccer action make this a sure hit with young sports fans. A solid, simply told sports story for readers not yet ready for John Feinstein, Mike Lupica and Robert Lipsyte. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Excerpts
Excerpts
I run up to midfield when the ball goes down to the other end and try to act like I know what I'm doing. I thought the purpose of soccer camp was to teach you to be a better player, not just run up and down the field in games.... In baseball, basketball, and football, I've always been pretty good. I never paid much attention to the kids who weren't. Now I'm one of those. A spinning ball comes my way. It takes an awkward bounce and is about to go over my shoulder. Instinctively, I stick my hand out to stop it. "Hand ball. Hand ball," everybody yells at once. "You can't use your hand," one of the little guys scowls at me. I turn away. Like I don't know that. I walk over by Isaac as the other team lines up for a free kick. A mosquito buzzes my ear, and I wave it away. "I hate playing defense," I say. "It feels like everything is coming at me way too fast." Excerpted from Eyes on the Goal by John Coy All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
