Soccer Sabotage: A Graphic Guide Adventure. Liam O'Donnell. Illustrated by Mike Deas. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2009. 64 pp., pbk., $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55143-884-9. Grades 4-9 / Ages 9-14. Review by Dana L. Coates. **** /4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

excerpt:

File it and forget it? This wasn't an accident, Devin. With my dad in the hospital, winning the tournament is going to be a lot harder for the Lions.

Soccer Sabotage: A Graphic Guide Adventure is an innovative book about soccer. It is a graphic novel, like a comic, yet has chapters. The book teaches readers soccer tips with step by step instructions and diagrams. There is also an interesting plot to go along with the lessons.

     Mike Deas did an excellent job in illustrating the work. The pages are very colorful and attractive as they stand out. The characters look extraordinary which will be appealing to young readers.

      The plot is splendid. The author planned out the plot very well with lots of twists and turns throughout the storyline. The story is told from Devin's perspective. His sister, Nadia, is Captain of the London Lions soccer team. The team is playing in the under-18 Canadian Championships in Toronto.

      There is plenty of mystery in the book as Devin and his sidekick, Stewart, figure out whether someone is trying to sabotage the Lions' attempt to win the championships. Stewart's dad, who is the girls' coach, mysteriously falls down the stairs. Was he pushed down, or did he simply lose his balance and fall? The answer to those questions is something the two boys investigate, and that's not all that falls either. There is lots of action and mystery, too, in the book.

      Soccer fans and just about anyone will overall enjoy reading this book whether they want to learn tips or read some mystery. It's definitely worth the read.

Highly Recommended.

Dana L. Coates is a grade 6 teacher in Norway House, MB. Dana recently published a picture book titled Sandy Lost His Ball.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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