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The Dream Team: Jaz Santos vs. the World
Things begin to go wrong for Jaz when her mum moves out, leaving her family behind. Determined to fix everything, she creates her own girl's football team to be the star her mum always wanted. First, she recruits a brilliant new group of friends to join her team. But after a shaky start, seven very different personalities to manage, and no one at school taking the girls' team seriously, football stardom feels a long way off. Can Jaz keep everyone - and herself - out of trouble long enough to convince her mum to come home? A relatable, inclusive story about families, unlikely friendships and girl power.
352 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 27, 2021
I might be a tad bit biased, but I’m giving this 5 stars for the amount of effort, joy, heart and soul I put into it. This book will, if nothing else, be my evergreen reminder that dreams do come true. I hope you all enjoy it!
April 29, 2021
This debut novel is a story of friendship, family and football. Jaz Santos is a bright, vibrant character who gets into trouble but is passionate and determined ... and obsessed with football. While things may not be going right in other areas of her life football gives her an escape and a way of dealing with everything else.
I loved the team coach and what she has to teach all of the girls involved in the team. But quote of the book for me comes from Jaz's mum who uses Jenga as a great analogy - "If you make one wrong move with your piece, then all your hard work comes tumbling down. Life isn't Jenga, though ... Just because you make one mistake, it doesn't always mean your entire dream is ruined."
What great advice for young readers and adults alike.
I look forward to reading about the other team members in novels to come.
I loved the team coach and what she has to teach all of the girls involved in the team. But quote of the book for me comes from Jaz's mum who uses Jenga as a great analogy - "If you make one wrong move with your piece, then all your hard work comes tumbling down. Life isn't Jenga, though ... Just because you make one mistake, it doesn't always mean your entire dream is ruined."
What great advice for young readers and adults alike.
I look forward to reading about the other team members in novels to come.
June 26, 2021
One of the most heartwarming books I have read for ages.
I loved this uplifting story about a girl realising her football dreams. There is a wonderful light touch to the writing that makes you bounce along with Jaz and will her into succeeding. I loved all the characters and the realism that was beautifully handled. Yes Jaz faces sexism and doubt, yes it is harder for her because she doesn’t come from a privileged background, but it is her self-belief and sheer determination that propels her to realise her dreams.
That’s the fantastic message of this book - it might be harder for you, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it. Fight on people, fight on! Oh and the football stuff was great (as was all the food) - my daughter plays football and I love how it is becoming more mainstream.
Girls can do whatever they want to and their stories are just as valuable as boys stories. Rock on Jaz!
I loved this uplifting story about a girl realising her football dreams. There is a wonderful light touch to the writing that makes you bounce along with Jaz and will her into succeeding. I loved all the characters and the realism that was beautifully handled. Yes Jaz faces sexism and doubt, yes it is harder for her because she doesn’t come from a privileged background, but it is her self-belief and sheer determination that propels her to realise her dreams.
That’s the fantastic message of this book - it might be harder for you, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it. Fight on people, fight on! Oh and the football stuff was great (as was all the food) - my daughter plays football and I love how it is becoming more mainstream.
Girls can do whatever they want to and their stories are just as valuable as boys stories. Rock on Jaz!
March 30, 2021
Jaz Santos loves football almost as much as she loves her family. So when her parents' fighting eventually leads to her mother moving out of the house, Jaz focuses all her energy on football, putting together a team that she hopes can win the Brighton Girls’ Under-11s Seven-a-Side Football Tournament. Perhaps by winning the tournament, she can not only prove that girls have got game, but also convince her parents to be happy together again. Jaz is a total inspiration. Readers will root for her as she stands up to a system that makes things difficult for girls. They will hurt for her as she struggles to fill the mom-sized hole in her heart. JAZ SANTOS VS THE WORLD is a fantastic story about the importance of dreaming big. Many thanks to the author, NetGalley UK, and Penguin Random House UK for the eARC.
June 3, 2021
Occasionally a middle grade book comes along that makes me more excited with each page I turn, and JAZ SANTOS VS. THE WORLD (Puffin) by debut Priscilla Mante is that book. Ten-year-old Jaz feels her best playing football (soccer), and she's sure that if she can start her own girl's team and win the under-11s championship, it'll bring her recently-separated parents back together for sure. Gorgeous writing, packed with voice, and reminiscent of Cathy Cassidy and Jason Reynolds.
May 14, 2021
Jaz Santos vs the World is the first in a new series about a girl who gathers an unlikely group of friends together to make their own girls football team. This is an inclusive and empowering tale with a real-life feel that will appeal to fans of Cath Howe and Jacqueline Wilson.
Circumstances in Jaz’s life are starting to feel out of control. She has been in trouble at school, kicked out of dance club and is dealing with the growing cracks in her parents’ relationship, culminating in a house fire and her mum eventually moving out. There’s more on her mind too - Jaz loves football and often plays with the boys at lunchtimes, but is excluded from the school team because girls are not allowed to play.
When Jaz finds a leaflet advertising a girls’ football tournament, she seizes the opportunity to take back some control. Thinking carefully about how to sell the idea to her classmates, Jaz pours heart and soul into rallying a team of girls to prepare for the tournament. From fundraising to training, Jaz leaves no stone unturned - with her passionate hopes of proving that girls can be taken seriously in football matched only by her desire to get mum back. Deep down, Jaz wonders whether winning the tournament might magically solve all of the other problems in her life too. but some wise words along the way help Jaz to understand that life’s circumstances do not have to define her, and her own personal successes and failures don’t have to be tied up with the things in life that are simply beyond her control.
With a summer of football fever on its way and girls’ football growing more popular than ever, this is an empowering book with a dynamic and entertaining main character who shows what can happen when somebody leads the way in a new sporting initiative. The discrimination against Jaz as a girl wanting to be taken seriously in football (from both adults and children) feels frustrating and unfair, but Jaz is passionate and triumphant to show what can be achieved with a little determination. Some of the other girls have no interest in the sport before Jaz recruits them to the team, but the story shows how beneficial the opportunity to join in is for them each in different ways. The Author Priscilla Mante says of the book, “Girls’ football and women’s football don’t get the attention they should do and it was really important for me, through Jas, to challenge the status quo.”
This timely and heart-warming story about teamwork, self-belief and following your passions in the face of life’s up and downs is likely to score big with readers aged 8-11.
Many thanks to the publisher for an early copy. Our review will appear on http://www.BooksForTopics.com.
Circumstances in Jaz’s life are starting to feel out of control. She has been in trouble at school, kicked out of dance club and is dealing with the growing cracks in her parents’ relationship, culminating in a house fire and her mum eventually moving out. There’s more on her mind too - Jaz loves football and often plays with the boys at lunchtimes, but is excluded from the school team because girls are not allowed to play.
When Jaz finds a leaflet advertising a girls’ football tournament, she seizes the opportunity to take back some control. Thinking carefully about how to sell the idea to her classmates, Jaz pours heart and soul into rallying a team of girls to prepare for the tournament. From fundraising to training, Jaz leaves no stone unturned - with her passionate hopes of proving that girls can be taken seriously in football matched only by her desire to get mum back. Deep down, Jaz wonders whether winning the tournament might magically solve all of the other problems in her life too. but some wise words along the way help Jaz to understand that life’s circumstances do not have to define her, and her own personal successes and failures don’t have to be tied up with the things in life that are simply beyond her control.
With a summer of football fever on its way and girls’ football growing more popular than ever, this is an empowering book with a dynamic and entertaining main character who shows what can happen when somebody leads the way in a new sporting initiative. The discrimination against Jaz as a girl wanting to be taken seriously in football (from both adults and children) feels frustrating and unfair, but Jaz is passionate and triumphant to show what can be achieved with a little determination. Some of the other girls have no interest in the sport before Jaz recruits them to the team, but the story shows how beneficial the opportunity to join in is for them each in different ways. The Author Priscilla Mante says of the book, “Girls’ football and women’s football don’t get the attention they should do and it was really important for me, through Jas, to challenge the status quo.”
This timely and heart-warming story about teamwork, self-belief and following your passions in the face of life’s up and downs is likely to score big with readers aged 8-11.
Many thanks to the publisher for an early copy. Our review will appear on http://www.BooksForTopics.com.
January 11, 2022
I listened to the audio book of this great story by @Priscilla Mante and both the voice actor and the writing 'voice' of the author were a treat. Very genuine and tackling (pardon the football pun!) the tricky subject of parental separation with grace, offering fictional scenarios which entertained as well as subtly pointing the way for young people to help build their resiliency. Jaz Santos gave casual but profound glimpses of a great and under-explored context too, young people growing up in mixed-heritage (and multi-lingual) homes. I mention all these profound takeaways but want to emphasise that the story is not too heavy handed, simply a cracking good middle grade romp, with relatable characters across generations portraying some of the heart-aching challenges they face and the heart-warming support that they show one another.
May 22, 2021
Firstly, this book is so much fun. Our main character Jaz has a fantastic set of friends and it was so entertaining reading about their journey to becoming a proper team; sleepovers and pizza making included! I celebrated with these characters, was saddened by their setbacks and motivated by their determination.
It highlights so many important issues faced by young people. One of which is the lack of encouragement for girls to pursue football. The boys in Jaz’ class were threatened by a girl who is talented at football and many of the teachers had no interest in helping the girls to get funding or even training for their team. This highlights the impacts of sexism right from primary school age. Boys’ and girls’ football is treated completely differently, regardless of the level it’s played at, and this stems from sexist ideas about what girls can and can’t do as well as boys can. Mante shows that young girls need support and belief from the adults around them, as well as belief in themselves, to excel.
Another important topic is the relationship between Jaz’ mum (Mãe) and dad. Jaz felt like their arguments and problems stemmed from her behaviour and that her team winning a competition would fix everything. It is so easy for children of this age to blame themselves and try to fix parent or family relationships and I think Mante does an incredible job of showing young readers that they are not responsible for their parents. It also shows adults that having honest conversations with your children and reminding them of how proud you are of them, is hugely important for their mental well being and can ease some of the pressures they are placing on themselves.
Many young people will also empathise with Jaz when she is often punished for her reactions to another student’s behaviour and even wrongly accused of things that she didn’t do. It is sometimes easier for teaches to single out one student as being disruptive and to blame them, rather than to address the situation properly and teach children valuable lessons through their actions. It is vital that children understand how to learn from their mistakes but also learn that each student must be treated and valued equally. Mante also does a fantastic job at showing the complexity of each character. The villain isn’t simply evil, there are reasons for their actions just like Jaz has reasons for hers. This is a really important lesson in learning to put yourself in other people’s shoes and for children to try to understand each other better.
This story has lovely overall themes of trying your hardest, kindness, friendship and never giving up. It teaches young people to challenge the status quo and it screams girl power. I think it is something younger readers will adore and can also be enjoyed by older readers. I am incredibly thankful to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Children’s UK for my chance to read an ARC of this book and I am excited to continue this series in future.
It highlights so many important issues faced by young people. One of which is the lack of encouragement for girls to pursue football. The boys in Jaz’ class were threatened by a girl who is talented at football and many of the teachers had no interest in helping the girls to get funding or even training for their team. This highlights the impacts of sexism right from primary school age. Boys’ and girls’ football is treated completely differently, regardless of the level it’s played at, and this stems from sexist ideas about what girls can and can’t do as well as boys can. Mante shows that young girls need support and belief from the adults around them, as well as belief in themselves, to excel.
Another important topic is the relationship between Jaz’ mum (Mãe) and dad. Jaz felt like their arguments and problems stemmed from her behaviour and that her team winning a competition would fix everything. It is so easy for children of this age to blame themselves and try to fix parent or family relationships and I think Mante does an incredible job of showing young readers that they are not responsible for their parents. It also shows adults that having honest conversations with your children and reminding them of how proud you are of them, is hugely important for their mental well being and can ease some of the pressures they are placing on themselves.
Many young people will also empathise with Jaz when she is often punished for her reactions to another student’s behaviour and even wrongly accused of things that she didn’t do. It is sometimes easier for teaches to single out one student as being disruptive and to blame them, rather than to address the situation properly and teach children valuable lessons through their actions. It is vital that children understand how to learn from their mistakes but also learn that each student must be treated and valued equally. Mante also does a fantastic job at showing the complexity of each character. The villain isn’t simply evil, there are reasons for their actions just like Jaz has reasons for hers. This is a really important lesson in learning to put yourself in other people’s shoes and for children to try to understand each other better.
This story has lovely overall themes of trying your hardest, kindness, friendship and never giving up. It teaches young people to challenge the status quo and it screams girl power. I think it is something younger readers will adore and can also be enjoyed by older readers. I am incredibly thankful to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Children’s UK for my chance to read an ARC of this book and I am excited to continue this series in future.
September 2, 2021
“Nothing I planned ever turned out the way it was supposed to. As usual, it was me, Jaz Santos vs. the World.”
This is Jasmina Santos-Campbell’s story as she deals with everything life throws at her. Whether that be lies from school mates getting her banned from playing football (her favourite thing in the world), teachers and boys who thought the boys team was more important than her girls team, or her parents splitting up at home. And all the while Jaz blames herself.
But at least she had football. “Football made everything better. The excitement when my feet made contact with the ball to dribble or kick, the spark that shot through me as I ran down the wings, and the pride when the ball rolled past the posts.”
Spotting a flyer in a library for a Brighton Girls Under-11s Seven-a-Side Football Tournament she forms a team, Bramrock Stars, which is her escape really. “The whole plan sounded a bit daft. Even to me, and it had been my idea. Why would six girls, none of whom were football-mad like me, agree to be in a team that didn’t exist yet?” The Dream Team is formed.
Also by the end of the book Jaz is facing up to her fears and realising that when things go wrong around her, it isn’t her fault.
There are quite a few characters in the book, which makes it hard to get to grips with them all, but they’ll be more-fully explored in other books in “The Dream Team” series. Overall the book has a nice story to it whilst also tackling or touching upon a few tough issues: bullying, sexism and parents splitting. 4 stars for the Bramrock Stars.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Jasmina Santos-Campbell’s story as she deals with everything life throws at her. Whether that be lies from school mates getting her banned from playing football (her favourite thing in the world), teachers and boys who thought the boys team was more important than her girls team, or her parents splitting up at home. And all the while Jaz blames herself.
But at least she had football. “Football made everything better. The excitement when my feet made contact with the ball to dribble or kick, the spark that shot through me as I ran down the wings, and the pride when the ball rolled past the posts.”
Spotting a flyer in a library for a Brighton Girls Under-11s Seven-a-Side Football Tournament she forms a team, Bramrock Stars, which is her escape really. “The whole plan sounded a bit daft. Even to me, and it had been my idea. Why would six girls, none of whom were football-mad like me, agree to be in a team that didn’t exist yet?” The Dream Team is formed.
Also by the end of the book Jaz is facing up to her fears and realising that when things go wrong around her, it isn’t her fault.
There are quite a few characters in the book, which makes it hard to get to grips with them all, but they’ll be more-fully explored in other books in “The Dream Team” series. Overall the book has a nice story to it whilst also tackling or touching upon a few tough issues: bullying, sexism and parents splitting. 4 stars for the Bramrock Stars.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
December 14, 2021
2.5 🌟
This was a cute middle grade, but I really struggled with the author's writing style, which seemed a bit amateurish and immature. Not only was the main character's voice hardly that of a 10 years old, but it read like the author had forgotten what it is like to be a child. I have read my fair share of middle grades and I can now tell when the authors know how to talk like, about and to children and when they do not. I believe this was a debut, so maybe in the future this aspect will get better; I don't think I will be reading the other books in this companion series, but I really believe there's room for improvement.
The plot overall was a pretty standard sports fiction plot, with the addition of some other themes, but I don't think they were handled particularly well. The pacing was a bit strange, because the 'non sports' themes were scattered around, without an organic feel to them. Again, as I believe this was a debut, there's room for improvement and I hope the author focuses on developing her future plots in a more cohesive way.
As far as the characters are concerned, they were nice. Not my all times favourites, as I didn't really vibe with the MC and she was narrating everything, but nice nonetheless.
If you have a child in your life who really loves football/soccer, you could gift them this book, as I think it will be enjoyable for them even if I didn't love it. Maybe the next book will be better, anyways!
This was a cute middle grade, but I really struggled with the author's writing style, which seemed a bit amateurish and immature. Not only was the main character's voice hardly that of a 10 years old, but it read like the author had forgotten what it is like to be a child. I have read my fair share of middle grades and I can now tell when the authors know how to talk like, about and to children and when they do not. I believe this was a debut, so maybe in the future this aspect will get better; I don't think I will be reading the other books in this companion series, but I really believe there's room for improvement.
The plot overall was a pretty standard sports fiction plot, with the addition of some other themes, but I don't think they were handled particularly well. The pacing was a bit strange, because the 'non sports' themes were scattered around, without an organic feel to them. Again, as I believe this was a debut, there's room for improvement and I hope the author focuses on developing her future plots in a more cohesive way.
As far as the characters are concerned, they were nice. Not my all times favourites, as I didn't really vibe with the MC and she was narrating everything, but nice nonetheless.
If you have a child in your life who really loves football/soccer, you could gift them this book, as I think it will be enjoyable for them even if I didn't love it. Maybe the next book will be better, anyways!
April 26, 2021
Ten year old Jaz has two great loves: her family and football. Her greatest goal in life is to play for England but for now she has to get through Year 6, while everything in her life is going wrong.
She’s constantly in trouble at school and isn’t allowed to join the football team because she’s a girl and now after months of ignoring arguments between her parents, her mum has left their family home.
When Jaz sees a flyer for a girls football tournament, she has an idea - she will form a team, win the tournament and her mum will be so happy she’ll come home.
//
Wow, I really loved this book.
It’s a fantastic story, showing kids they shouldn’t give up on their dreams, especially when they are discouraged by people with outdated ideas on what girls and boys can and can’t do. It also gives a realistic portrayal of a family breakdown through the eyes of a child. Jaz blames herself for the break up and tries her best to fix her family before eventually realising it isn’t her fault. I appreciated how the author didn’t have Jaz’s mum come home for the sake of a happy ending.
Jaz is a wonderful character, she is a passionate, determined, brave kid with a huge heart. The football team she forms is also full of amazing characters and I cannot wait to read more from The Dream Team series.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Children’s UK and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.
She’s constantly in trouble at school and isn’t allowed to join the football team because she’s a girl and now after months of ignoring arguments between her parents, her mum has left their family home.
When Jaz sees a flyer for a girls football tournament, she has an idea - she will form a team, win the tournament and her mum will be so happy she’ll come home.
//
Wow, I really loved this book.
It’s a fantastic story, showing kids they shouldn’t give up on their dreams, especially when they are discouraged by people with outdated ideas on what girls and boys can and can’t do. It also gives a realistic portrayal of a family breakdown through the eyes of a child. Jaz blames herself for the break up and tries her best to fix her family before eventually realising it isn’t her fault. I appreciated how the author didn’t have Jaz’s mum come home for the sake of a happy ending.
Jaz is a wonderful character, she is a passionate, determined, brave kid with a huge heart. The football team she forms is also full of amazing characters and I cannot wait to read more from The Dream Team series.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Children’s UK and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 4, 2021
Jaz Santos Vs The World was a poignant heartwarming story about football friendship and family.
The story followed Jaz Santos who decides to compete in a football competition and starts a new team. The dream team forms a close bond and we see the ups and downs of their friendship. Jaz hopes that winning the match can be the way she can bring Mãe back.
This was a great book that featured many lovable characters and a realistic family. There was a meaningful message and a beautiful theme. The writing was immersive and had a unique voice.
My only complaint was the predictability of the football competition. It was quite predictable that there would be this one thing the main character is bad at but it's the thing that makes them win the match. It's a overdone plot device and was a bit of a letdown.
Other than that this book is full of heart and an amazing read! I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment in this series!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the E-arc!
The story followed Jaz Santos who decides to compete in a football competition and starts a new team. The dream team forms a close bond and we see the ups and downs of their friendship. Jaz hopes that winning the match can be the way she can bring Mãe back.
This was a great book that featured many lovable characters and a realistic family. There was a meaningful message and a beautiful theme. The writing was immersive and had a unique voice.
My only complaint was the predictability of the football competition. It was quite predictable that there would be this one thing the main character is bad at but it's the thing that makes them win the match. It's a overdone plot device and was a bit of a letdown.
Other than that this book is full of heart and an amazing read! I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment in this series!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the E-arc!
January 16, 2022
Jaz is bold but vulnerable and has big dreams. She likes Dad's homemade pizza, she wants Mum to pay some attention, and her sights are set on football stardom. Telling the rags-to-riches tale of Bramrock Primary's first girls' football team, the novel is full of diverse characters who break plenty of sterotypes. Sexism is addressed head-on and I particularly enjoyed the real-life information about women's football that is worked into the story.
Perfect for KS2 readers who love first-person writing, football, book series and girls who dare to be different. Teachers local to me in East Sussex may be interested to know that the book is set near Brighton and references the Seagulls.
This is the first in the author's new 'Dream Team' series and future books will each focus on another of Jaz's friends.
Perfect for KS2 readers who love first-person writing, football, book series and girls who dare to be different. Teachers local to me in East Sussex may be interested to know that the book is set near Brighton and references the Seagulls.
This is the first in the author's new 'Dream Team' series and future books will each focus on another of Jaz's friends.
April 21, 2021
This is a lovely middle grade book for all children. It was wonderful to see a strong leading character with very real and very relatable flaws. I requested this book not knowing it was based in Brighton, that’s where I’m from and grew up and could really imagine all these families and all these children where I grew up. I didn’t play sports as a child for similar reasons to Jaz and I wish I had a friend like her who encouraged everyone to give it a try and do their best. The family dynamics were lovely and well set up. The school issues and dance class were infuriating but only because that was me and it was like going back in time. I love the way this book handles each of these different aspects of jazz’s life and doesn’t leave anything unresolved.
May 5, 2021
Jaz Santos isn’t the most graceful dancer and she’s always getting into trouble at school, but the one thing she loves more than anything else is playing football. When Jaz’s Mum and Dad start having problems, Jaz works out the perfect way to stop them arguing—she decides to start a girls’ football team and win the local tournament. All she needs to do is find a coach and convince six other girls to join her team.
I’m not a football fan but I still loved this book, ‘Jaz Santos vs the World’ is a wonderfully warm, inclusive story about friendship, teamwork and family. Jaz is a brilliantly dynamic and determined protagonist and I can’t wait to read more about the rest of the dream team. A great start to an inspiring new series.
I’m not a football fan but I still loved this book, ‘Jaz Santos vs the World’ is a wonderfully warm, inclusive story about friendship, teamwork and family. Jaz is a brilliantly dynamic and determined protagonist and I can’t wait to read more about the rest of the dream team. A great start to an inspiring new series.
August 10, 2021
A delightful story of a young girl who just wants to play soccer (football to the rest of the world) and to keep her parents together. The school won't provide money or a coach for a girls' football team, so Jaz convinces a group of friends to join her and raise the money themselves. Jaz is a spunky, lovable heroine, who sometimes gets in trouble, but always has the best intentions. She wants to play in a football tournament and hopes it will bring her mother back home. Wonderful dialogue, great characterizations, and an absorbing plot. Funny, realistic, and full of heart. Kids will adore this. And it's the first in a series!
January 14, 2023
A really interesting read about a story of friendship, football and family as well as the problems family’s go through. Jaz is going through a lot at home and has football as her outlet to deal with her stress. It’s such a heartwarming read that deals with some hard subjects such as sexism, self-doubt and family problems. Definitely recommend this book especially for younger girls to see no matter what you can do anything and be whoever you want to be. Would love to read more by this author. Jaz is amazing. I was provided an arc by NetGalley so thank you so much.
June 2, 2021
A story of real life issues from a child’s point of view, I love the realistic events that occur in this story but most of all how strong minded and determined young Jaz is, her relationship with her family and her friends can only be described as true to life which makes the book relatable for all! This book teaches children to follow their dreams no matter what life can throw at them, a heartfelt book that sends out an inspiring message! Hugely recommend!
June 17, 2021
Priscilla Mante’s debut contemporary novel for children aged 9+ (the first in a series) is strong on the importance of organisation, teamwork and facing your fears and great at promoting women’s football while also tackling (no pun intended) the sexism that girls face in the game. However there are too many characters to get a real sense of who is who here and some quite stereotypical while the plot fairly predictable but I would still read on.
May 7, 2021
Review of The Dream Team: Jaz Santos vs. the World
This is the story of Jasmina, who prefers to be known as Jaz, A girl who loves football and plays for the Bramrock Stars, a football team she created. A lovely inclusive story about unlikely friendships and girl power. My child really enjoyed the book, and read it very quickly and she is looking forward to the next one in the series.
This is the story of Jasmina, who prefers to be known as Jaz, A girl who loves football and plays for the Bramrock Stars, a football team she created. A lovely inclusive story about unlikely friendships and girl power. My child really enjoyed the book, and read it very quickly and she is looking forward to the next one in the series.
August 18, 2021
This is book one in the upcoming dream team series. Perfect for younger readers especially girls who love football.
Jaz loves football she’s always been playing with the lads at school and everyone knows she is good! She decides to enter a girls football tournament but she needs a team… Complete beginners. Girls who haven’t played before. Will they be able to win the tournament? Will team work win? Will training and hard work pay off? Jaz is a troublesome sort in school but this is her dream surely nothing will stop her now.
Brilliantly written. Uplifting. Hopeful. Great story. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me.
Jaz loves football she’s always been playing with the lads at school and everyone knows she is good! She decides to enter a girls football tournament but she needs a team… Complete beginners. Girls who haven’t played before. Will they be able to win the tournament? Will team work win? Will training and hard work pay off? Jaz is a troublesome sort in school but this is her dream surely nothing will stop her now.
Brilliantly written. Uplifting. Hopeful. Great story. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me.
December 20, 2021
I am distinctly not a fan of football, so I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy this, but I was so pleased to find that I had an absolutely excellent time meeting Jaz and her friends. It’s the first in the Dream Team series, which is about a group of girls banding together to start their own football team, and this specifically focuses on their team captain Jaz, whose parents have just separated. I think Jaz’s wonderfully distinctive and fun narrative voice was probably my biggest highlight here, because I just loved the way she saw the world and all her nicknames for people and I got so frustrated alongside her when people just kept misunderstanding her. The rest of the team were great too, I loved their mentor figure Rhiannon who has a very interesting plot arc of her own, and Jaz’s family were really well represented as being flawed and imperfect yet still loving. And of course, the message that girls can do anything is an absolutely great one, and I loved seeing the Bramrock Stars proving girls can play football too. It’s so looking forward to continuing on in this series, first of all with Charligh’s story when it comes out in May!
January 3, 2022
Fell completely in love with Jaz and the characters in this book. The empowerment for girls/women, the building of unlikely friendships, the tackling of tough issues and a whole heap of laughs!! Can’t wait for the second book!!!!
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September 1, 2025Such a cute middle grade, this book had some really gritty topics that were worked through and I think it was done well and with grace.
Even if Jaz was a little self involved and didn’t ‘read the room’ regarding her peers emotions, what 11 year old would though really??
Even if Jaz was a little self involved and didn’t ‘read the room’ regarding her peers emotions, what 11 year old would though really??
June 3, 2021
Jaz Santos vs. the World by Priscilla Mante is a short, middle-grade book about eleven-year-old Jaz who is obsessed with football (soccer). Jaz is finding school difficult and is being labeled a troublemaker, but things are also difficult for her at home because her parents are fighting a lot. When her mum decides to move in with her sister half an hour away, Jaz is left reeling.
After spotting a flyer for a local girls’ football tournament, Jaz convinces a group of her classmates to form a team and enter the competition. She faces many challenges including lack of funding and difficulty accessing resources for training, but she is determined to see her new team succeed. Will the Bamrock Stars be up to the challenge and even if they are, will their success be enough to bring her family back together?
Sophie failed to engage much with this book, although she struggles to tell you exactly why. The story itself is pleasant enough, and there are some great, age-appropriate explorations of sexism—such as Jaz’s school giving all their sports budget to the boys’ team with nothing for the girls, the boys’ coach refusing to help train the girls, and the boys themselves not wanting to share training spaces. However, the story didn’t feel especially memorable, the levels of serendipity are overwhelming even for a middle-grade, and the majority of the characters (excluding Jaz herself) were two-dimensional at best. This is the first in a series with other books set to explore different members of the team, so Sophie hopes these future installments will help fix that particular issue.
While this isn’t a book that is likely to become a new classic, Sophie would still recommend it to young readers, especially sports fans, and she still plans to pick up the next book in the series to see how the Bamrock Stars story continues.
After spotting a flyer for a local girls’ football tournament, Jaz convinces a group of her classmates to form a team and enter the competition. She faces many challenges including lack of funding and difficulty accessing resources for training, but she is determined to see her new team succeed. Will the Bamrock Stars be up to the challenge and even if they are, will their success be enough to bring her family back together?
Sophie failed to engage much with this book, although she struggles to tell you exactly why. The story itself is pleasant enough, and there are some great, age-appropriate explorations of sexism—such as Jaz’s school giving all their sports budget to the boys’ team with nothing for the girls, the boys’ coach refusing to help train the girls, and the boys themselves not wanting to share training spaces. However, the story didn’t feel especially memorable, the levels of serendipity are overwhelming even for a middle-grade, and the majority of the characters (excluding Jaz herself) were two-dimensional at best. This is the first in a series with other books set to explore different members of the team, so Sophie hopes these future installments will help fix that particular issue.
While this isn’t a book that is likely to become a new classic, Sophie would still recommend it to young readers, especially sports fans, and she still plans to pick up the next book in the series to see how the Bamrock Stars story continues.
June 14, 2021
A wonderfully authentic story full of heart! I may live an ocean away from where Jaz's story takes place, and we may call it soccer here instead of football, but there are universal themes that cross borders. Themes like forging friendships, facing bullies, having family troubles, and dreaming big--Jaz Santos vs the World has all those and in such an accessible way. You don't need to be a soccer(football) player or even know much about the sport to enjoy this story!
Jaz gets into trouble sometimes, but she can't always help it. She loves to daydream. She's a very likeable character in my opinion, with a sincere and determined heart. The six other girls she recruits for her soccer/football team are unique, all with their own ways of handling things. Readers are sure to find parts of themselves in one or more of the teammates. I did! The team wants to enter a girls tournament but is up against sports misogyny in their own school, difficult teachers, and no initial funding. They also have to learn how to play as an actual team before they can think of playing well at the tournament. The girls pull together, with all their different ways of looking at life, and start to believe that they're worthy of winning.
In the midst of this, I loved the way Jaz's family life was handled. Many kids have Jaz's experience of two parents who love their kids but don't always get along. It will surely encourage children that they don't need to blame themselves for their parents' disagreements.
The food in this story made me drool. Maybe I'm just too into food. Haha! I had to immediately Google Muamba de Galinha after reading about it. And I want it. And the fruit pizzas!! OMG. Inspired to make those. And I will definitely be making the cake recipe at the back of the book.
I would confidently hand this story off to any child to read! I think they'd love how Jaz sees and reacts to her world, and would find themselves represented in one or more of the characters. Five stars!!!
Jaz gets into trouble sometimes, but she can't always help it. She loves to daydream. She's a very likeable character in my opinion, with a sincere and determined heart. The six other girls she recruits for her soccer/football team are unique, all with their own ways of handling things. Readers are sure to find parts of themselves in one or more of the teammates. I did! The team wants to enter a girls tournament but is up against sports misogyny in their own school, difficult teachers, and no initial funding. They also have to learn how to play as an actual team before they can think of playing well at the tournament. The girls pull together, with all their different ways of looking at life, and start to believe that they're worthy of winning.
In the midst of this, I loved the way Jaz's family life was handled. Many kids have Jaz's experience of two parents who love their kids but don't always get along. It will surely encourage children that they don't need to blame themselves for their parents' disagreements.
The food in this story made me drool. Maybe I'm just too into food. Haha! I had to immediately Google Muamba de Galinha after reading about it. And I want it. And the fruit pizzas!! OMG. Inspired to make those. And I will definitely be making the cake recipe at the back of the book.
I would confidently hand this story off to any child to read! I think they'd love how Jaz sees and reacts to her world, and would find themselves represented in one or more of the characters. Five stars!!!
April 3, 2021
Wonderfully funny, wry and determined, Jaz just can't seem to find her place in the world. With her parent's constant arguments and several of her teachers endlessly irritated by Jaz's enthusiastic and sometimes untamed nature, she's having a rough year. But Jaz knows herself well enough to know that she wants, and she's determined and clever enough to push past the NOs and a system that's intent on maintaining the out-dated and incredibly sexist norms to go out and get what she wants: a girl's 7-on-7 soccer club. And even more than that: a championship team!
Jaz builds herself a team that starts out a bit rough around the edges with the intention of shooting for the stars. And shoot she does!
This wonderful story is for all the kids who have adults in their lives who are set on stopping them, on holding up out-dated norms, than encouraging bravery and daring.
Thank you to the author, NG UK and the publishers for the opportunity it read an E-Arc of this fantastic story. Highly recommend for all MG readers.
Jaz builds herself a team that starts out a bit rough around the edges with the intention of shooting for the stars. And shoot she does!
This wonderful story is for all the kids who have adults in their lives who are set on stopping them, on holding up out-dated norms, than encouraging bravery and daring.
Thank you to the author, NG UK and the publishers for the opportunity it read an E-Arc of this fantastic story. Highly recommend for all MG readers.
May 14, 2024
This is a middle grade children's book about a girl who starts her own girl's football team while dealing with her parents splitting up.
So, what works: the diversity and representation of the characters, the very readable prose and the positive messages for the audience.
What didn't work so well for me (but these are minor): some clumsy similes, not going into enough detail earlier on to explain why the other girls get into football or how they become any good at it, an ending that was a little too neat and sweet, the rather obvious underdog sports plot, some other MG tropes.
Overall, it is an enjoyable read. It didn't have that extra spark that could have really hooked me (I might be an adult but there are some MG books that I truly love), but that's probably because I am not at all interested in sports. Jaz's emotional journey, particularly her low self worth, is very touching.
So, what works: the diversity and representation of the characters, the very readable prose and the positive messages for the audience.
What didn't work so well for me (but these are minor): some clumsy similes, not going into enough detail earlier on to explain why the other girls get into football or how they become any good at it, an ending that was a little too neat and sweet, the rather obvious underdog sports plot, some other MG tropes.
Overall, it is an enjoyable read. It didn't have that extra spark that could have really hooked me (I might be an adult but there are some MG books that I truly love), but that's probably because I am not at all interested in sports. Jaz's emotional journey, particularly her low self worth, is very touching.
May 1, 2022
I really enjoyed this book!! Would definitely recommend even though I’m too old for this book it was still interesting and just a good book to read.
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