New York Times Bestseller ∙ National Book Award Longlist ∙ ILA-CBC Children's Choice List ∙ ALA Notable Children's Book ∙ Book Links' Lasting Connections ∙ Kirkus Best Book ∙ San Francisco Chronicle Best Book ∙ Washington Post Best Book∙ BookPage Best Book **"A novel about a soccer-obsessed twe...

New York Times Bestseller ∙ National Book Award Longlist ∙ ILA-CBC Children's Choice List ∙ ALA Notable Children's Book ∙ Book Links' Lasting Connections ∙ Kirkus Best Book ∙ San Francisco Chronicle Best Book ∙ Washington Post Best Book∙ BookPage Best Book **"A novel about a soccer-obsessed tween boy written entirely in verse? In a word, yes. Kwame Alexander has the magic to pull off this unlikely feat, both as a poet and as a storyteller. " **-- * The Chicago Tribune***Like lightning/you strike/fast and free/legs zoom/down field/eyes fixed/on the checkered ball/on the goal/ten yards to go/can't nobody stop you/

• can't nobody cop you...*

In this follow-up to the Newbery-winning novel THE CROSSOVER, soccer, family, love, and friendship, take center stage as twelve-year-old Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams. Helping him along are his best friend and sometimes teammate Coby, and The Mac, a rapping librarian who gives Nick inspiring books to read.

This electric and heartfelt novel-in-verse by poet Kwame Alexander bends and breaks as it captures all the thrills and setbacks, action and emotion of a World Cup match