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The Twin Stars and the Soccer Superstar: A Novel
Perfect for fans of Laurie Morrison and Jenn Bishop, this lively middle-grade mystery follows a vibrant group of teens and tweens navigating grief, authenticity, and—above all—soccer, while taking an enjoyable romp through the Texas Hill Country.
Every year, spring in Texas means two very different things to sixth grader Cassaty her beloved Barons Creek High School soccer team, the Battling Billies, will contend for the state title, and the anniversary of her twin brother’s death will plunge her family into a deep, unspoken grief. But this year, the script changes when the Battling Billies’ star midfielder goes missing right before the playoffs begin. Presented with this mysterious disappearance, Cassaty seizes the chance to heroically bring the missing girl home—and hopefully, in doing so, help fill the hole her brother’s death left in her family so many years ago.
Every year, spring in Texas means two very different things to sixth grader Cassaty her beloved Barons Creek High School soccer team, the Battling Billies, will contend for the state title, and the anniversary of her twin brother’s death will plunge her family into a deep, unspoken grief. But this year, the script changes when the Battling Billies’ star midfielder goes missing right before the playoffs begin. Presented with this mysterious disappearance, Cassaty seizes the chance to heroically bring the missing girl home—and hopefully, in doing so, help fill the hole her brother’s death left in her family so many years ago.
- GenresMiddle Grade
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sixth grader Cassaty Greene is obsessed with her town’s star women’s high school soccer player, Katey Corey. So, when Katey goes missing days before the playoffs, Cassaty takes it upon herself to investigate the disappearance. She ropes her bestie Maisy in to help, and friends Simran and Cisco get involved as well. Cassaty is happy to have a focus outside school: this is the time of year when her mom gets really depressed and withdrawn and Cassaty would like to absent herself from home. The reason for her mom’s depression is her twin brother’s death as an infant. Cassaty feels that if she can help find Katey, it’s a way to balance her own guilt at causing her twin’s death. Readers will question her guilt, as it was in utero that Cassaty caused her brother to weaken, but Cassaty feels the weight of his death and her mother’s depression as her own responsibility. This story is a mystery – where did Katey go? – and a look at the grief that a family can hold as each member folds inward without speaking of the trauma.
Cool adults such as Cassaty’s teachers and friends’ parents abound, but of course she doesn’t confide in them. It’s not until near the end that she finally confides in her Aunt Melodie. I liked seeing Cassaty’s relationship with her teenaged sister blossom, and that there were other caring teens who helped solve the mystery. The pace of the story moves nicely, until an ending that doesn’t tie things up perfectly neatly, which I liked because it felt realistic. But by the end, everyone knew how to begin their healing process, and it was all because Cassaty started things rolling. In terms of representation, Aunt Melodie is gay and married; Simran is Hindu and I assume she’s Indian; Maisy has celiac; most other characters are assumed white.
This is an excellent book for kids looking for a realistic treatment of a sibling death, and also just a good, absorbing read for anyone. At under 200 pages, it also is a quick read.
(I really don’t like the title. It feels to me like a picture book title.)
Cool adults such as Cassaty’s teachers and friends’ parents abound, but of course she doesn’t confide in them. It’s not until near the end that she finally confides in her Aunt Melodie. I liked seeing Cassaty’s relationship with her teenaged sister blossom, and that there were other caring teens who helped solve the mystery. The pace of the story moves nicely, until an ending that doesn’t tie things up perfectly neatly, which I liked because it felt realistic. But by the end, everyone knew how to begin their healing process, and it was all because Cassaty started things rolling. In terms of representation, Aunt Melodie is gay and married; Simran is Hindu and I assume she’s Indian; Maisy has celiac; most other characters are assumed white.
This is an excellent book for kids looking for a realistic treatment of a sibling death, and also just a good, absorbing read for anyone. At under 200 pages, it also is a quick read.
(I really don’t like the title. It feels to me like a picture book title.)
June 17, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
Title: The Twin Stars And The Soccer Superstar
Author: @kristinerudolph
PUB: 06/19
Tropes:
⚽️Soccer
🥅Mystery
⚽️Grieg and Gulit
🥅Friendship
Thank you so much @booksparks and @kristinerudolph for this gifted ARC
The Book⚽️
Every year, spring in Texas means two very different things to sixth grader Cassaty her beloved Barons Creek High School soccer team, the Battling Billies, will contend for the state title, and the anniversary of her twin brother’s death will plunge her family into a deep, unspoken grief. But this year, the script changes when the Battling Billies’ star midfielder goes missing right before the playoffs begin.
Presented with this mysterious disappearance, Cassaty seizes the chance to heroically bring the missing girl home-and hopefully, in doing so, help fill the hole her brother’s death left in her family so many years ago.
My Thoughts 🥅
Oh my, I hadn’t read a YA novel in a while, but I am so glad I read this story! This was just such great read. @kristinerudolph did an exceptional job with character development and the story line. I was instantly captivated and felt nostalgic as the story made me reminisce about my soccer mom days. I adored the way this group of 6th graders came together to do some detective work! I’ll have to say that my favorite character was Cassaty.Not only was she a great detective, but her ability to show how she cared for another’s well being while she herself carried twin survivor guilt over her shoulders showed how resilient she was.
The story mainly focuses on grief. However, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. The Twin Stars And The Soccer Superstar is a great reminder tha in times of grief, our shared sorrow weaves a deeper connection that ultimately brings healing and strength to carry on.
If you haven’t yet, go grab a copy. This story will NOT disappoint!
#thetwinstarsandthesoccersuperstartour #booksparks #arcreview
Title: The Twin Stars And The Soccer Superstar
Author: @kristinerudolph
PUB: 06/19
Tropes:
⚽️Soccer
🥅Mystery
⚽️Grieg and Gulit
🥅Friendship
Thank you so much @booksparks and @kristinerudolph for this gifted ARC
The Book⚽️
Every year, spring in Texas means two very different things to sixth grader Cassaty her beloved Barons Creek High School soccer team, the Battling Billies, will contend for the state title, and the anniversary of her twin brother’s death will plunge her family into a deep, unspoken grief. But this year, the script changes when the Battling Billies’ star midfielder goes missing right before the playoffs begin.
Presented with this mysterious disappearance, Cassaty seizes the chance to heroically bring the missing girl home-and hopefully, in doing so, help fill the hole her brother’s death left in her family so many years ago.
My Thoughts 🥅
Oh my, I hadn’t read a YA novel in a while, but I am so glad I read this story! This was just such great read. @kristinerudolph did an exceptional job with character development and the story line. I was instantly captivated and felt nostalgic as the story made me reminisce about my soccer mom days. I adored the way this group of 6th graders came together to do some detective work! I’ll have to say that my favorite character was Cassaty.Not only was she a great detective, but her ability to show how she cared for another’s well being while she herself carried twin survivor guilt over her shoulders showed how resilient she was.
The story mainly focuses on grief. However, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. The Twin Stars And The Soccer Superstar is a great reminder tha in times of grief, our shared sorrow weaves a deeper connection that ultimately brings healing and strength to carry on.
If you haven’t yet, go grab a copy. This story will NOT disappoint!
#thetwinstarsandthesoccersuperstartour #booksparks #arcreview
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was given an Advance Reader Copy of Kristine Rudolph’s debut novel, a middle grade sports mystery: “The Twin Stars and the Soccer Superstar” a few weeks ago. ⚽️
I packed the book as my sole reading material when my husband and I went away for a long weekend trip. 📕
This edge-of-your-seat story caught my full attention the moment I cracked the spine open on the airplane, and I grabbed for it every chance I got throughout the weekend.
The story and its likable and well-developed characters lived in my head long I finished the last page. 🥹
It was refreshing to read a novel for tweens and young teens that addresses mental health, grief, family issues, and the immense pressure we knowingly or unknowingly place on our kids with such openness. 🫶
All the topics were handled with expert care and left the reader feeling seen and empowered. 🥰
The cast of characters were diversified in a very natural way and the story will resonate with countless families and their young readers.
Soccer experience or knowledge is not required to appreciate the sports-element of the story. But after being a soccer mom for the past 15 years, I must admit that I also enjoyed the characters’ love for the game. 🥅 🏆
You can confidently add this “The Twin Stars and the Soccer Superstar” to your young teenager’s summer reading list. It’s being released in a few days by BookSparks - go order it now! 😊
I packed the book as my sole reading material when my husband and I went away for a long weekend trip. 📕
This edge-of-your-seat story caught my full attention the moment I cracked the spine open on the airplane, and I grabbed for it every chance I got throughout the weekend.
The story and its likable and well-developed characters lived in my head long I finished the last page. 🥹
It was refreshing to read a novel for tweens and young teens that addresses mental health, grief, family issues, and the immense pressure we knowingly or unknowingly place on our kids with such openness. 🫶
All the topics were handled with expert care and left the reader feeling seen and empowered. 🥰
The cast of characters were diversified in a very natural way and the story will resonate with countless families and their young readers.
Soccer experience or knowledge is not required to appreciate the sports-element of the story. But after being a soccer mom for the past 15 years, I must admit that I also enjoyed the characters’ love for the game. 🥅 🏆
You can confidently add this “The Twin Stars and the Soccer Superstar” to your young teenager’s summer reading list. It’s being released in a few days by BookSparks - go order it now! 😊
June 10, 2026
This is an emotional and intriguing piece of realistic fiction that will appeal to middle grade readers interested in women’s soccer and solving mysteries.
Cassity’s 12 years of life have been tinged with grief- her identical twin brother died upon birth, and she’s been carrying to guilt ever since, while navigating her mother’s ongoing depression from the grief. When Cassity’s, and the towns favorite high school soccer player, Katy Korey, goes missing, she takes it upon herself to find her.
Cassity enlists the help of many people in Katy Korey’s orbit, like her own older sister, and some serious detective work. One thing I really liked about this book is it shows kids and teenagers solving problems without the help of adults many times. I think that’s important for kids to see! It also ups the adventures when parents aren’t hovering mid search and rescue.
I think this book also depicts a very complicated grief in a developmentally appropriate way that middle grade readers will often be able to relate to.
As a big women’s sports watcher, I loved this one! If you have a daughter in around 4th-7th grade who plays soccer, recommend this book to her! Thank you to BookSparks for the ARC.
Cassity’s 12 years of life have been tinged with grief- her identical twin brother died upon birth, and she’s been carrying to guilt ever since, while navigating her mother’s ongoing depression from the grief. When Cassity’s, and the towns favorite high school soccer player, Katy Korey, goes missing, she takes it upon herself to find her.
Cassity enlists the help of many people in Katy Korey’s orbit, like her own older sister, and some serious detective work. One thing I really liked about this book is it shows kids and teenagers solving problems without the help of adults many times. I think that’s important for kids to see! It also ups the adventures when parents aren’t hovering mid search and rescue.
I think this book also depicts a very complicated grief in a developmentally appropriate way that middle grade readers will often be able to relate to.
As a big women’s sports watcher, I loved this one! If you have a daughter in around 4th-7th grade who plays soccer, recommend this book to her! Thank you to BookSparks for the ARC.
Review of advance copy
Middle grade mystery that focuses on soccer, family, grief, and healing.
Thank you to Booksparks for the gifted copy and allowing me to be a part of the review tour!
6th grader Cassaty loves soccer and also has navigated her entire life with the grief of losing her twin brother and how that loss has deeply impacted her family. This story looks at how grief can look within a family and can be a different experience and feelings for each individual. Cassaty's grief doesn't resemble that of a typical experience, but the story looks at how she feels grief and how her feelings aren't invalidated because they don't look like that of others.
- I enjoyed the way Cassaty's obsession with a high school soccer star and her insistence to help upon learning of her becoming missing, led to a group of friends who were able to support one another through the mystery of finding her.
- Overall was a fun middle grade read that works through the difficult topic of grief and the process towards healing.
- The aunt is LGBT
Thank you to Booksparks for the gifted copy and allowing me to be a part of the review tour!
6th grader Cassaty loves soccer and also has navigated her entire life with the grief of losing her twin brother and how that loss has deeply impacted her family. This story looks at how grief can look within a family and can be a different experience and feelings for each individual. Cassaty's grief doesn't resemble that of a typical experience, but the story looks at how she feels grief and how her feelings aren't invalidated because they don't look like that of others.
- I enjoyed the way Cassaty's obsession with a high school soccer star and her insistence to help upon learning of her becoming missing, led to a group of friends who were able to support one another through the mystery of finding her.
- Overall was a fun middle grade read that works through the difficult topic of grief and the process towards healing.
- The aunt is LGBT
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A fun mystery about soccer, family, grief, and healing. Cassaty, a 6th grader, is a soccer player and is obsessed with Katey, a junior, who also plays soccer. When Katey goes missing Cassaty gets her friends together, and they come up with a plan to try and find her. When they all go look at social media they find some clues as to where Katey might be. They all go to the ranch where they think she might be, and Katey’s boyfriend is there. Does he know where Katey is? Cassaty knows the anniversary is coming for the death of her twin brother who died when he was three months old. Her mom is still depressed, and Cassaty feels it’s her fault her brother died. Will Cassaty get a chance to tell her parents how she feels?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All my own.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All my own.
June 13, 2026
Cassaty idolizes the star of her town's high school soccer team, so when she goes missing just before the playoffs Cassaty feels she has to be the one to find out what happened and find Katey. She recruits some of her friends to help and uses the mystery to help her escape difficulties going on at home.
This is a book about grief, both from a parent and a sibling, the guilt of being the survivor and healing in general. Cassaty as a character is very believable in her actions, feelings and motives. While it's an impactful read, it's also a great story with a mystery. I felt the ending was appropriate and believable, not everything is perfect, but they are in a good place. The writing flows really nicely, as a middle grade it reads really easily and is well paced. A great story out the gate.
This is a book about grief, both from a parent and a sibling, the guilt of being the survivor and healing in general. Cassaty as a character is very believable in her actions, feelings and motives. While it's an impactful read, it's also a great story with a mystery. I felt the ending was appropriate and believable, not everything is perfect, but they are in a good place. The writing flows really nicely, as a middle grade it reads really easily and is well paced. A great story out the gate.
June 12, 2026
This story tackles some surprisingly powerful themes in a way that’s both accessible and heartfelt even though it’s a middle grade read.
When high school soccer superstar Katey suddenly goes missing, Cassaty takes it upon herself to figure out what happened. What begins as a search for answers soon becomes something much deeper. As Cassaty follows the clues, she’s also forced to confront her own grief and the lingering impact of losing her brother.
One thing I really appreciated about this book was how it portrays grief. It reminds us that grief doesn’t look the same for everyone and that it can evolve as we move through different stages of life.
Overall, this was a thoughtful and meaningful read that balances mystery with important life lessons about loss, resilience, and hope.
When high school soccer superstar Katey suddenly goes missing, Cassaty takes it upon herself to figure out what happened. What begins as a search for answers soon becomes something much deeper. As Cassaty follows the clues, she’s also forced to confront her own grief and the lingering impact of losing her brother.
One thing I really appreciated about this book was how it portrays grief. It reminds us that grief doesn’t look the same for everyone and that it can evolve as we move through different stages of life.
Overall, this was a thoughtful and meaningful read that balances mystery with important life lessons about loss, resilience, and hope.
June 12, 2026
“You can’t fix everything, you know? Sometimes…you just have to give people space to feel what they feel.”
12 year old Cassaty is on a mission. A local girl, her soccer star idol, has gone missing. Katey Korey must be found.
This is a middle grade mystery that is actually pretty deep with a lot of great messages within the story. There is the fun mystery part but also the importance of allowing kids to just be themselves, communication, and healing from past hurts.
I think middle grade all the way on up to adults can benefit from reading this.
Thank you to @BookSparks and @KristineRudolph for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
12 year old Cassaty is on a mission. A local girl, her soccer star idol, has gone missing. Katey Korey must be found.
This is a middle grade mystery that is actually pretty deep with a lot of great messages within the story. There is the fun mystery part but also the importance of allowing kids to just be themselves, communication, and healing from past hurts.
I think middle grade all the way on up to adults can benefit from reading this.
Thank you to @BookSparks and @KristineRudolph for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
June 9, 2026
👧🏻 review: it is an unforgettable read. The story seemed realistic and compelling enough especially when Cassty lost her twin brother and the entire family plunged into depression and darkness. Her experience in life was strife with unexpected changes and while her teammate went missing, I understand why she wanted to take the bull by the horn and signed the rest of her friends to join her to seek out the rest. Plenty of ups and downs but the ending was simply unexpected. This is absolutely an emotional read with no end in sight. Quite a wonderful story.
June 13, 2026
For all my girls who grew up reading Mia Hamm, this is the book for you! It is a great middle/high school age book that explores some heavy topics in a relatable and digestible manner.
It was fun to read from the perspective of a sixth grader, and I loved the sister relationships throughout (made me think a ton about my relationship with my sister)!
“Sometimes behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… Play for her.” -Mia Hamm
It was fun to read from the perspective of a sixth grader, and I loved the sister relationships throughout (made me think a ton about my relationship with my sister)!
“Sometimes behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… Play for her.” -Mia Hamm
June 12, 2026
ARC Review: 4 stars
This is a middle grade mystery with a side of high school soccer.
This book discusses grief in a very realistic and relatable way. It also touches on family dynamics and expectations. It is fast paced and has short chapters. Perfect for 4th through 7th graders and even though it discusses sensitive topics such as grief, it does so in an age appropriate way.
Though the book discusses soccer, it is not focused on the sport, but on the characters.
This is a middle grade mystery with a side of high school soccer.
This book discusses grief in a very realistic and relatable way. It also touches on family dynamics and expectations. It is fast paced and has short chapters. Perfect for 4th through 7th graders and even though it discusses sensitive topics such as grief, it does so in an age appropriate way.
Though the book discusses soccer, it is not focused on the sport, but on the characters.
June 18, 2026
A Mystery Wrapped in Grief, Courage, and Heart
This is the perfect book for middle graders. I liked how it handles grief and big emotions. It is also a really engaging mystery. Cassaty’s determination to find the missing soccer star is courageous. As a soccer family, I loved the sports angle too. It felt real and added so much energy to the story. Cassaty’s journey is heartfelt, honest, and moving. A very warm, meaningful read.
This is the perfect book for middle graders. I liked how it handles grief and big emotions. It is also a really engaging mystery. Cassaty’s determination to find the missing soccer star is courageous. As a soccer family, I loved the sports angle too. It felt real and added so much energy to the story. Cassaty’s journey is heartfelt, honest, and moving. A very warm, meaningful read.
June 19, 2026
This is a quick paced middle grade book. It follows 6th grade Cassaty at she tries to find her hometown soccer hero, Katy Korey before a big game.
I enjoyed how the reader got into Cassaty's head and saw how focuses she was. During the course of the book, you got to see not only Cassaty, but also her family grow.
This book, showed grief in a way a 6th grader could understand, in many different ways as well.
Thank you to booksparks for the gifted copy.
I enjoyed how the reader got into Cassaty's head and saw how focuses she was. During the course of the book, you got to see not only Cassaty, but also her family grow.
This book, showed grief in a way a 6th grader could understand, in many different ways as well.
Thank you to booksparks for the gifted copy.
June 25, 2026
This was a cutie little mystery with interesting character dynamics. I wasn't expecting some of the platonic relationships that developed. I also enjoyed that a side character's 'woe is me' storyline wasn't necessarily diminished, but it was put into perspective at one point. It also shows the mental health progression of another side character, which I really enjoyed!
This book would trend really well for a middle school age audience. I would definitely recommend to young readers.
This book would trend really well for a middle school age audience. I would definitely recommend to young readers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
actually 4.5 stars
of course the kids are more helpful in solving the case than the police. I figured out who Katey’s Instagram hater was right away but it didn’t really ruin anything for me. A quick, enjoyable, middle-grade mystery read.
actually 4.5 stars
of course the kids are more helpful in solving the case than the police. I figured out who Katey’s Instagram hater was right away but it didn’t really ruin anything for me. A quick, enjoyable, middle-grade mystery read.
June 4, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had high hopes for this book, but I felt like it tried to do too much? The mystery on top of the family grief just didn’t mesh together well for me and I really didn’t like how the kids just went to a stranger’s house the way they did, without any real consequences.
I had high hopes for this book, but I felt like it tried to do too much? The mystery on top of the family grief just didn’t mesh together well for me and I really didn’t like how the kids just went to a stranger’s house the way they did, without any real consequences.
June 14, 2026
Amazing read!
Twin Stars and the Soccer Superstar combines an engaging mystery with richly developed characters and genuine emotional depth. Highly recommend especially to the middle grade soccer enthusiasts!
Twin Stars and the Soccer Superstar combines an engaging mystery with richly developed characters and genuine emotional depth. Highly recommend especially to the middle grade soccer enthusiasts!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews