An exciting read for older children or young teens, this fun story
depicts the changing relationship between parents and children as they
grow up and the effects of grief and loss for both sides.
Just a few days after Nat Levy's thirteenth birthday, he and his dad
Dave return to England for the first time in seven years. Since his
mother died, the two of them have been traveling from country to
country, wherever Dave can pick up work, and Nat has been playing street
soccer with the local kids whenever he has a chance - even on Copa
Cabana beach in Rio de Janeiro!
Now it's a bit of a shock to come back to England, where the cottage
Dave has bought turns out to be a wreck, and the prospect of going to
school is looming for Nat. The only positive aspect is that they are
close to Hatton Rangers, the soccer team they both follow, but even the
team is struggling to avoid relegation and possible bankruptcy.
Amazingly, Nat's soccer skills are spotted and he is put forward for a
tryout with the team, but there is something fishy going on that is
looking increasingly dangerous...
In this soccer-centered thriller, Nat learns about being part of a team,
when to take chances, when to accept criticism and when to stand up for
himself. His independence and self-reliance help him through some tricky
and risky situations.