The Ball Hogs

Kickers #1

by Rich Wallace, Jimmy Holder (Illustrator)

Introducing a soccer series for new readers
Kickers #1

Nine-year-old Ben is brand-new to soccer, but he's a good athlete and knows he'll do well on the Bobcats, his team in the local Kickers soccer league. If he can only work around his obnoxious teammate Mark, the ball hog, Ben is sure he'll score his first goal. But Coach Patty, and Ben's own teammates, show him a little something about teamwork. And suddenly it dawns on he's a ball hog, too. Can he change his ways before the Bobcats lose their shot at the Kickers play-offs?

Award-winning sports novelist Rich Wallace introduces the Kickers soccer series, filled with lively black-and-white art and fast-paced, on-the-field action.

Genres: Sports, Fiction, Chapter Books, Childrens, Juvenile, Realistic Fiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Pat Salvatini · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the spirit of Matt Christopher, Wallace introduces younger readers to a new soccer series. Nine-year-old Ben knows he's a good athlete and is excited about playing on his first soccer team. But new classmate Matt is not only creating problems at school, but he's also hogging the ball during practice and during their first game. Wallace creates a likable character with believable emotions in this quickly paced easy chapter book.

[Robin]

Seemed like a pretty solid early chapter book about a soccer team, with good potential for starting conversations about sportsmanship, etc., but I was unable to finish because my 7 y.o. lost interest. Probably worth trying again.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright but we won't continue in the series. Half of the book is a new soccer team forming and trying to learn the downside of being ball hogs. The other half is the 3rd grade drama and 4 square issues. Lots of friend drama and ugliness that I didn't really enjoy.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It did a good job of keeping the kids interested. Sooner good stuff on sportsmanship, but mostly about the ups a downs of 4th grade.

[Molly (Conan the Librarian) Crumbley · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the first book of the brand new “Kickers” series, Rich Wallace introduces readers to Ben and the Bobcats.This is Ben’s first time on a real soccer team, but he just knows that he’s going to be the best player out there; he’s a four-square champ on the playground and he even owns his very own soccer ball.That changes when mean show-off Mark joins the team.Mark is really fast and athletic, but he hogs the ball and is not very good at passing it to his teammates.

To make matters even worse, the Bobcats only have three practices before their first big game, and Ben finds out the hard way that Mark isn’t the team’s only ball hog.Ben might be one too!At practice, their coach works with the Bobcats to help them become a better team and have more fun playing together.Will it be enough to earn the team their first win of the season?This book is a great introduction to teamwork and soccer skills, and the story ends with Ben’s Soccer Tips.Boys and girls who play soccer or other sports will especially like this series.

This review originally appeared on abookandahug.com

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silver Knight, 2012 (grade 3)
This is the first in the "Kickers" series all about soccer. Boys at my school are already really enjoying this book. It's about Ben and his friends in grade 4. The chapters alternate between action on the soccer field as part of a new team and action at recess on the four-square court. And throughout, his nemesis Mark is bigger, stronger, and arrogant enough to drive a boy mad. Ben wants to win at everything he does, but his team can't win a game as long as Mark hogs the ball. Will they ever learn to play as a team? Illustrated.

[Jeff Raymond · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book in a children’s series about schoolchildren on a soccer team. Somewhat formulaic, but fairly well written overall. Not much else to say about them – very what-you-see-is-what-you-get, but I’m not exactly the target audience, either.

[Tressa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Ball Hogs. I thought the sentences were clear and simple. It was a pleasure to read a story that conveyed so much information in such concise sentences. I also liked the illustrations.

[Jnase1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that this book teaches good sportsmanship within a sporty story about two competitve fouth grade boys. If I was more into sports, I would have enjoyed this book much more, but I thought the story was okay.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book about what it means to be a team player. There are two different settings--soccer field and four square courts at recess--where Ben needs to learn to get along with his teammates and classmates in order to have fun and be successful. Good life lessons.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for kids playing soccer or simply loving that sport. It deals a lot with teamwork.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the cover, the story seemed to spend just as much time on Ben and Mark playing four square as it did on them playing soccer.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good level for Asher. Teaches a good lesson and lots of soccer talk :)

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun soccer book about the importance of being a team. The book does a great job of showing sportsmanship, but also how hard that can be for a kid.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Focuses on sportsmanship and dealing with other kids; predictable but decent example for kids to relate to. Sports fans will likely enjoy the action.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish it.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid sports story for the Magic Tree House set, ofusing on soccer.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good choice for young soccer enthusiasts, this book includes lots of play by play soccer action as well as kids dealing with what it means to be good teammates.

[Kate Hastings]

RL540

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, good for middle graders who like soccer.