THE ACADEMY: A Soccer Academy Fiction Novel for Boys Ages 9–14 | Elite Training, Rivalry and Grit | Sports Series for Boys (First Eleven)

He made it in. Now the real work begins.

Marco Rivera earned his place at the LA Galaxy Academy the hard way: a wall, a park, two years of six-forty-five mornings, and a trial that came down to one afternoon. Now he’s inside. And on the very first day, Coach Reeves looks at the thing that got him here and calls it interference.

The organizing instinct. The captain’s game. The reading that made Marco the player he is.

In this room, it’s a problem.

A stranger named Isaac asks Dante a question before the first session even starts: “How long did it take you to stop playing for the result and start playing the game?” Dante doesn’t have an answer yet. Marco is still working out his own version. And Jay, watching from three miles away at the south wall, is learning what it means to stay when the people you built something with are gone.

Three players. Three different versions of the same problem—no shortcuts for any of them.

The academy pressure, the coach who dismantles what worked before, the teammate who’s better in ways you can’t immediately match, it’s all here, written with complete authenticity to help you connect with your son’s experience.

The Academy is Book 5 of the First Eleven series, a soccer chapter book series for boys ages 9–14 following Marco Rivera from the streets of East LA to FC Porto across six complete books.

Authentic soccer academy book for boys, real elite environment, real pressure

Best middle-grade soccer novel for competitive players ages 9–14

Themes of identity, receiving hard feedback, and rebuilding under pressure are woven throughout the story, offering a realistic look at the mental and emotional challenges young athletes face. This depth helps parents see the book as a meaningful resource that supports their son’s growth both on and off the field.

Ideal for youth soccer players in academy and competitive programs

Part of the complete kids soccer book series, best read after Book 4

Perfect gift for boys who love soccer and take the game seriously

The things that got you here won’t develop you further.

Book 5 of the First Eleven series — soccer books for boys ages 9–14. Best enjoyed after Book 4: The Trial.

From the Publisher

Everyone Here Was the Best Player on Their Team.

At the Eagles, Marco was the one who read the game before anyone else. At the Academy, every single player in his training group can do the same thing.

For the first time in his life, Marco isn’t ahead of the room.

The wall on Cesar Chavez built something in him that the Academy can’t teach. He just has to figure out what that is — before the first cut list goes up.

The Reading Works in Every Language.

The Academy has players from seven countries. Different styles. Different instincts. Different ways of seeing the game.

Marco can’t out-train them. He can’t out-run them.

But he can read them. All of them. Three seconds before they know what they’re going to do themselves — he already knows.

That’s not something you learn at an academy. That’s something you learn at a wall.

The Book Your Kid Won’t Want to Put Down

For Kids Who “Don’t Like Reading”

Short chapters. Fast pace. A story that reads like a game — it doesn’t slow down long enough to lose them. Boys who haven’t finished a book in years finish this one in a week. Then ask for Book 2.

For Kids Who Live for the Game

Marco doesn’t just play soccer, he thinks it. The tactics, the reads, the moments before the ball moves. Kids who play recognize it immediately. This is the game they know, written the way it actually feels from the inside.

The Gift That Actually Gets Read

Each book is a complete story — no cliffhangers, no frustration. Start anywhere. But most kids start at Book 1 and don’t stop until Book 6. Makes the perfect birthday, holiday, or end-of-season gift for any soccer kid ages 9–14.

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Series order
Start here 2 of 6 3 of 6 4 of 6 5 of 6 6 of 6

Marco’s journey
Street kid → first tryout New player → new role Eagles captain On trial for his future Academy recruit FC Porto first team

Key theme
Starting from zero Learning to read the game Friendship & loyalty Performing under pressure Elite environment Europe & identity

Best for readers who love…
Underdog stories Tactics & teamwork Coming-of-age High-stakes moments Academy life International football

The lesson
The wall always gives back The deepest position sees everything The work belongs to you, not the place Don’t play their game — play yours What got you here won’t develop you further The reading works in every language

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GY8Q7PGQ
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 22, 2026
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 153 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8258514264
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.2 ounces
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 – 14 years
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.35 x 9 inches
Book 5 of 6 ‏ : ‎ First Eleven
Best Sellers Rank: #99,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #68 in Children’s Soccer Books (Books) #108 in Soccer (Books) #8,976 in Biographies (Books)