Above All Else

March 15, 2014
Grades 5-8 Del's soccer team, the Cardinals, are on their way to a third consecutive undefeated season, but the atmosphere in the locker room has turned vicious. His teammates are consumed by the idea that winning is the only acceptable outcome, and Del is finding it increasingly difficult to be around them off the field. This latest entry in the Orca Sports series, an action-packed whodunit, explores the notion of sportsmanship and the twisted morality of winning by any means necessary. After a particularly contentious match, Del's teammate is attacked and has his ankle broken, la Nancy Kerrigan. Del grows uneasy as accusations fly and his teammates seem dead set on exacting revenge. Ross expertly delivers a high-interest, accessible, suspenseful thriller with a thoughtful message. The short chapters, straightforward language, authentic soccer details, and sly humor should have great appeal to the reluctant readership for which it is intended.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)