The Academy V: Cup of Nations

The Academy #5

by T.Z. Layton

Now a New York Times bestselling series! Leo has become a star in the Youth Premier League and one of the brightest young soccer players in the world. 

But he faces his greatest challenge yet when he joins his junior national team and tries to lead an underdog soccer squad from the United States to victory in the greatest tournament of all for his age the U15 Cup of Nations.

Unlike the Lewisham Knights, Leo's national team doesn't have a roster full of Premier League talent. Plus the team has terrible chemistry and very little time to improve.

The stakes have never been higher. The United States is the host nation, and the pressure is on to make a good showing. Can Leo become a true leader and bring his team together?

Or will they flame out in the group stage and disappoint their country?

The inspiring, action-packed fifth book in The Academy series is perfect for young readers 7-13 and sports fans of all ages. 

Keep score with the other books in The Academy

The Academy The Academy The Journey ContinuesThe Academy Tournament of ChampionsThe Academy Title Fight

Genres: Sports, Childrens

308 pages, Paperback

Published November 26, 2024

About the author

T.Z. Layton is the award-winning author of the bestselling Academy series, which has been translated into multiple languages and optioned for film. The author is also a soccer dad, youth coach, referee, former collegiate player, and lifelong fan of the beautiful game.

To stay up to date on the Academy series and other stories by T.Z. Layton, it’s best to visit his website (tzlaytonbooks.com) and join his newsletter.

Reviews

[Anna Judice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome! 👏 I’ve read all The Academy books, and let me tell you they are awesome! 🤩 If you like soccer and suspense this book is just for you! And if you have read all of The Academy books, don’t fret! T. Z. Layton is coming out with a new book called The Academy 6: RISE OF THE SCORPIONS! Can’t wait til the next book comes out! Please read this book. It’s the best! Leo K. Doyle (in this book) has to be a leader, but is he going to be the leader that his coach and teammates need?

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Leo and his friend in Middleton are having a great summer when he gets a call from Samantha offering Leo a opportunity to try out to play for the USA junior national team in the Cup of nations (like the World Cup but for the developmental teams. The USA team is ranked last and only are in it because the USA is the host nation. Will this be the case or will the team rise to the challenge?
Now by this point you should know I love this series. I like the real obstacles Leo and his friends need to get past and might even need to trust or talk to another player to get through. These kids have had to grow up much faster as they are often in different countries, and spend a lot of their time without their parents or coaches. Leo is lucky to have friends back home that are great and just a text away for him as well as his dad and Messi. This is a great series and is a fun read for everyone, old and young but especially anyone who likes soccer (football).

Review copy provided by Edelweiss

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Leo is home from the UK for the summer, and spends some time at home, but is then off to Atlanta. The Cup of Champions, for players his age, is being held in the US, and since his country is hosting, the pressure is on. This doesn't mean there isn't time to hang out with friends (Samantha surprises him with Robbie being at the US Soccer National Youth Training Facility, and Tig is there as well, playing with the U23S) but it does mean he has to step up to lead a team that isn't as talented as the Knights. This isn't the last book, since Rise of the Scorpions comes out May 5, 2026.

My students absolutely ADORE this series, but since I have never seen a soccer game, they are not my personal favorite. They are starting to feel a bit formulaic. Still, I will definitely purchase this for my middle school library, and will circulate frequently. I do hope that Rise of the Scorpions is the last book, since series that go over six books don't do as well with my students, but I'd love to see Layton write some stand alone books.

[Monique Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I’ll never get those 4 hours and 9 minutes of my life back, but I certainly wouldn’t want to. What a great read. We love this series and can’t recommend it enough. My daughter is a soccer player and has connected with the team and characters so much that it has truly inspired her in her own game . I have enjoyed listening and reading this series with her, we have had some white knuckle moments throughout the series. Bonus for me I’ve learned a lot about soccer. When the new book came out I was out of town and thought I’d just start it to get a feel. Well I couldn’t put it down and my daughter is gonna be so mad I read it without her. I encourage anyone interested to pick up this book and enjoy .

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I was caught up in Leo's soccer/football adventures. This time, readers get a glimpse of what it might take for a national team (even at a young age) to come together. I must admit that as an adult reader, I found that even with different challenges, I found the basic plot somewhat predictable, but I don't think that will be a problem for middle grade readers. And I confess, even as an adult, I want to read upcoming series entries. Highly recommended to all young football/soccer fans.

Review based on a DRC received through Edelweiss+.

[Kristina Coffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book series for that preteen middle school age kiddo. My son loves soccer and wasn't ever a big reader. When I found this series he was hooked and it gave him the opportunity to enjoy reading! After he reads the book he always tells me I need to read it too. So I do!

The books are all great at teaching life lessons in a good clean way. There is leadership, compassion, struggles and more shown through that the kids in the book have to work through and learn and grow.

[Melissa Versel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was a great book with their travels across the USA. That was cool and also the laser tag in Denver sounded really fun! Also, beach soccer and going across New York City and bubble soccer is something I have also wanted to try. Strongly recommend after you read the first 4 books!

[Kelli Oldham · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cup of nations is not a thing. I mean this is a fiction series, but I’d rather keep it in a realistic setting.

[Laura Kastner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any soccer mums that haven’t stumbled across this series, run don’t walk!! My soccer nut is nuts for these books, and I have to admit I love them too 💗💗💗 super fun to read out loud together.

[William Cavill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!I loved it.Can’t wait for the next one to come out.

[Hannah Solomonov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay it was a some

[Blackflyingdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Ver cool

[Sameena Rao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great young reader book for any child who loves soccer. Solid character development and compelling story. My kids love it.