Author(s): Clare Renner

Children's fiction

Matty is the team captain of the local soccer club, the Strikers. His team is talented, well-funded, and polished -- but Matty can't help but feel that something's missing. He hasn't improved his own skills in a while, and wonders if he needs to switch things up in order to keep improving. So, he decides to head out to the local park to kick it with some of the street ball kids. Matty figures he'll run right through the disorganized teens. Instead, he gets a swift kick in the pants! These kids are talented -- and they play hard and fast -- making Matty wonder what matters most when it comes to soccer skills . . .