The Ball Hogs

June 14, 2010
Centered on a coed fourth-grade soccer team, the Kickers series starts up with a novel that delivers a worthwhile if belabored message about teamwork. Though Ben hasn’t played on a soccer team before, he is determined to outshine bossy, boastful Mark, who at the first Bobcats practice announces, “I’ll be the star of this team.” Ben soon realizes that he is as much of a ball hog as Mark is, and Wallace (the Winning Season series) bluntly spells out the solution to that compound problem: “ knew that the best chance the Bobcats had to win a game would be if he and Mark could somehow work together.” A less lively parallel drama about fair play and inclusion plays out at the schoolyard, where Ben and his classmates work out their differences during games of four square. Those scenes drag, though the soccer action propels the rest of the story, which has an unsurprising yet heartening finale. The second installment, Fake Out, arrives in August. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 7–10.

September 1, 2010

Gr 3-5-In Ball Hogs, which centers on teamwork, fourth-grader Ben plays soccer with his nemesis, Mark, whose consistently arrogant remarks irritate everyone on the team. Eventually an argument between the two boys over a four-square game during recess brings realistic emotions to a head. Ben and Mark begin to examine their behavior, bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion. In the second book, Ben learns to concentrate on learning some new skills, yet to be patient with himself when he makes an inevitable mistake. Pen-and-ink illustrations augment the enjoyment of the short chapters. Each title concludes with soccer tips for novices. Readers who look for play-by-play action will relish these beginning chapter books.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2010
Grades 2-4 Like his friend and Bobcat teammate Erin, Ben has never played soccer before, but he enjoys the practices and learns fast. However, he doesnt enjoy playing with Mark, whose big mouth and inflated ego make him easy to dislike. Their animosity spills over onto the four-square court at recess before they begin to see the value of passing in soccer and (no coincidence) the Bobcats begin to score goals. A good sports story for younger readers, this beginning chapter book balances bits of information about playing the game with realistic scenes on the field, at home, and at school. An effective subplot portrays Bens shifting emotions and ethical dilemma after a friend is excluded from their regular four-square group. Beginning with tiny portraits of the team roster, lively black-and-white drawings illustrate the story. The book concludes with advice on practicing and playing the game in Bens Top Tips for Soccer Players. A promising start for the Kickers series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)