The Blue Marauders

MacVeagh’s debut novel about a youth soccer team delivers both excitement and frustration. With the help of some adults, seventh graders Nick McCoy and Erik Steiner form a new soccer team, the Blue Marauders, in their small town, hoping for a shot at the playoffs in the competitive Tri-State League. Nick and Erik are both promising soccer stars, but Erik is more dedicated to doing well in school than Nick is. Drama and tension are heightened by the teammates’ varying skill levels and personalities, classmates who don’t play soccer, and a few strong-willed adults. As MacVeagh details the team’s season, he avoids predictability pitfalls, yet readers may struggle to connect with Nick, Erik, and their teammates, even as they root for them to succeed. The kids tend to talk and act like adults (“We want to win the rest of the games, and we don’t want you jeopardizing that”), and the story oddly centers Erik’s father, who steps in as coach. Sports enthusiasts should enjoy following the Blue Marauders, but general readers may find too much space is devoted to play-by-play recounting, terminology, and strategy. Ages 8–12. [em](BookLife) [/em]