Soccerland

Gr 5–8—A love of soccer was something Flora Dupre shared with her mother. In the final months of her mother's life, the two would relive their favorite games in a place they called Soccerland—a way to escape the reality of the painful chemo treatments. Two years later, as the best soccer player in her school, her town, and even her state of Maine, Flora feels confident that if she had a chance to try out for the Under-15 National Team, she would be on her way to her ultimate goal of one day playing in the World Cup. Her chance comes with an invitation to a National Team Identification Camp at the International Sports Academy. At camp, Flora is challenged as never before by players of the highest caliber, a coach who seems to have nothing but criticism, and a trio of mean girls who consistently put her down. With the memory of her mother telling her to follow her dream, Flora will have to channel all her skills, her determination, and her mental toughness to succeed. Author and sports journalist Beth Choat narrates Flora's story (Amazon Children's Pub., 2010) with a steady, straightforward performance. While she doesn't really differentiate between characters, her unadorned style allows the focus to stay on Flora and her goal. Athletes, especially soccer players, will relate to the highs and lows of Flora's experience, and all listeners will admire her absolute determination to achieve her dream.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL