Author: Layton, T.Z. General fiction (Children's / Teenage)Published on 5 May 2026 by Sourcebooks, Inc (Sourcebooks Young Readers) in the United States as part of 'The Academy' series.Paperback | 336 pages198 x 130 x 24 | 240g Fresh off his success with the junior national football team, Leo K. Doyle is back in England and playing for the U16s, where he’ll be a newbie all over again.Will Leo get any playing time? Can he work his way into a starting lineup filled with older, bigger and more experienced players?Unfortunately, the move to a new division might be the easy part. There’s a new contender in the Youth Prem—the Southwark F.C. Scorpions—who have a roster full of superstars that play to win at any cost. They’re the dirtiest, roughest team Leo has ever faced, led by an old enemy who cheats at every turn.Starting secondary school. Meeting a pretty girl. An intense race for the title. Dealing with a tragedy that threatens to ruin the whole season.Whew.Playing at the highest level is never easy, but this might be Leo’s toughest season yet. Can he and his friends overcome their challenges and make another run at the title?T.Z. Layton's inspiring sixth book in The Academy series is perfect for primary school readers and young sports fans looking for their next exciting read.Ideal for young readers aged 7-13 looking for:Page-turning football chapter booksA humorous, action-packed adventure book series like no other!
