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The Academy

A Fun-Filled Football Adventure (The Academy Series Book 1)
By T.Z. Layton
Series: The Academy
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Brief Description
From the playground to the premier league, Leo K. Doyle brings his soccer ‘A’ game everywhere he goes...even abroad! Born and raised in a small town, 12-year-old Leo has never seen the ocean or stepped foot on a plane…but he knows his soccer dreams will take... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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The Academy

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From the playground to the premier league, Leo K. Doyle brings his soccer ‘A’ game everywhere he goes...even abroad!

Born and raised in a small town, 12-year-old Leo has never seen the ocean or stepped foot on a plane…but he knows his soccer dreams will take him far. Rock star, Olympic goal, dragon-slaying kind of far, with his pet lizard named Messi by his side.

So when a professional scout extends an invitation to try out for the London Dragons youth squad, The Academy for training younger players, Leo is more than game. But the world-famous English Premier League team only has eleven slots open...

And two hundred of the best and brightest youth players on the planet ready to compete.

Whisked off to a new country, Leo struggles to dodge and dribble his way through the gruelling training regime set by a cranky camp director who doesn’t want to hear about Leo’s recluse roommate or relentless camp bully...but it’s fine. Leo is here for soccer, the one thing he knows he is good at. But will he be good enough to make The Academy?

For premier fans and soccer enthusiasts, T.Z. Layton’s inspiring first book in The Academy Series is perfect for middle grade readers and sports fans ages 7-13.

Keep Score with the other books in The Academy series:

  • The Academy II: The Journey Continues

Series: The Academy

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781464268793

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 September 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: Sourcebooks Young Readers

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 244g

Pages: 352

Collections

2025 Best Sellers Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Featured In Stock Kid's Books New Release Children's Books New Releases New to Book Hero Penguin Books Series: The Academy T.Z. Layton Young Adult

About the Author

T.Z. LAYTON is the author of the bestselling and award-winning Academy series, which has been optioned for film and sold translation rights around the world. The author writes adult fiction under Layton Green and is also a soccer dad, youth coach, former collegiate player, and lifelong fan of the beautiful game.

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