The Academy: Soccer Adventure Novel for Young Readers

Novel: The Academy is a youth soccer adventure about twelve-year-old Leo Doyle, who earns a chance to try out for an English Premier League club’s youth squad. Its competition, new-country setting and personal challenges make it a natural fit for young readers interested in football stories.

At a glance

Twelve-year-old Leo is invited to try out for the London Dragons youth squad after a scout sees him play.
The plot combines a high-stakes team selection with the challenges of moving to another country and adapting to unfamiliar people and routines.
The listing describes it as the first book in a soccer series and suggests it for readers aged 7–13, while the details section gives a customer-suggested age of 9–11.

Price

$12.82Save 14%

Reference price: ~~$14.99~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Often bought together

The Academy II: The Journey Continues

$13.19

The Academy III: Tournament of Champions

$12.26

Pros and cons

Pros

A clear soccer-centred premise gives young fans a story tied to their interest in the game.
The tryout, rivalry and adjustment to life in a new country give the story several sources of conflict beyond soccer.

Technical specifications

10 specifications

Book details
Publisher	Sourcebooks
Publication date	Sept. 2 2025
Language	English
Print length	304 pages
ISBN-10	1464267103
ISBN-13	978-1464267109

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	318 g
Dimensions	13.97 x 1.93 x 21.59 cm

Suggested audience
Reading age	Customer suggested age: 9 - 11 years
Grade level	2 - 8

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The listing gives different age guidance: the description says ages 7–13, while product details say customer-suggested ages 9–11. The listing also calls this the first book and names later series volumes, so confirm the edition and series order if those details matter.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Young readers drawn to soccer, team tryouts and sports-themed fiction.
Gift buyers looking for a story about a young player pursuing a place on a competitive team.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a nonfiction soccer guide or a story without competition and team-selection pressure.

The Academy: Soccer Adventure Novel for Young Readers · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.8 / 5 · 2,470 ratings

5 stars83%83%
4 stars13%13%
3 stars3%3%
2 stars1%1%
1 star0%0%

Customer feedback describes the story as engaging and inspiring for children who enjoy soccer, with readers reportedly looking forward to reading at night and enjoying the series as a gift. That response may appeal to young fans interested in Leo’s tryout and team-selection story. Aggregate ratings are strongly positive overall, but they do not establish which specific plot elements every reader liked.

Positive themes

Customer feedback describes the book as engaging and inspiring for children who love soccer.
Readers are reported to enjoy the story as a gift and to look forward to reading at night.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Academy about?

Twelve-year-old Leo Doyle is invited to try out for the London Dragons youth squad. He must face intense competition and the challenges of settling into a new country.

What age is this book for?

The description suggests ages 7–13, while the product details list a customer-suggested age of 9–11. The age guidance is not consistent across the listing.

Is The Academy part of a series?

Yes. The listing identifies it as the first book and names several later Academy titles. Check the edition’s series placement if reading order matters.