T. Z. Layton

Ahoj, volám sa Leo a toto je môj príbeh. Zbožňujem futbal a videohry. Som trocha lenivý a mám domáceho jaštera Messiho, s ktorým sa niekedy rozprávam, akoby bol človek. Rozhodol som sa zaznamenať všetko, čo zažijem na ceste za svojím veľkým snom: plánujem sa totiž stať top futbalistom v Premier League! Raz budem hrať za Arsenal, Chelsea alebo Manchester City. No a všetky tieto kluby majú vlastné akadémie, kde trénujú a vychovávajú tie najväčšie talenty, aké sa im podarí objaviť, aby sa z nich raz stali skutoční profíci. Som úplne obyčajné decko ako ty, z obyčajného amerického mesta, no napriek tomu ma pozvali do jednej z takýchto akadémií. Cestoval som až do Londýna v Anglicku, aby som trénoval s inými deckami z celého sveta. Bolo to drsné a miestami aj nepekné, ale bolo to super! Podarí sa mi prebojovať do vysnívanej jedenástky? Ak so mnou vydržíš aj na ďalších stránkach, všetko ti porozprávam. Celý zákulisný príbeh. (A hej, stretol som aj pár slávnych ľudí!)

Leo has become a star in the Youth Premier League and one of the brightest young players in the world. But he faces his greatest challenge yet when he joins his junior national team and tries to lead an underdog football squad from the United States to victory in the greatest tournament of all for his age group: the U15 Cup of Nations. Unlike the Lewisham Knights, Leo's national team doesn't have a roster full of Premier League talent. Plus the team has terrible chemistry and very little time to improve. The stakes have never been higher. The United States is the host nation, and the pressure is on to make a good showing. Can Leo become a true leader and bring his team together? Or will they flame out in the group stage and disappoint their country? The inspiring, action-packed fifth book in The Academy series is perfect for young readers 7-13 and for sports fans of all ages. Keep score with the other books in The Academy series: The Academy The Academy II: The Journey Continues The Academy III: Tournament of Champions The Academy IV: Title Fight The Academy VI: Rise of Scorpions

Leo tries to lead his team to glory in some of the most exciting, high-stakes football in the world! Last season, Leo and his teammates saved the Lewisham Knights by avoiding a last-place finish in the U14 Premier League. Their future looks bright - until they learn the adult Knights have dropped down to the second division, again putting the future of the U14s in jeopardy. All might not be lost. The team owner has entered the U14s into the Tournament of Champions, which takes place over the summer. Leo and his teammates will pack their bags and travel across Europe to play against some of the top youth teams in the world. But the tournament isn't just for pride and a trophy. Something else is at stake: a loophole that allows the winner of the tournament to stay in the youth Premier League. The competition will be fiercer than ever. No one is giving the Knights a chance to win. And as if the tournament wasn't enough to deal with, someone is trying to sabotage the team, and the Knights have a new star player with a serious attitude problem. The mountain to climb has never seemed so high. Can Leo find a way to pull his team together and have a fighting chance in the Tournament of Champions? T.Z. Layton's inspiring third book in The Academy series is perfect for primary school readers and young sports fans looking for their next exciting read. Ideal for young readers aged 7-13 looking for: Page-turning football chapter books A humorous, action-packed, sports adventure book series like no other!

Leo and his teammates are riding high after their performance in the Tournament of Champions. But last season, they still finished near the bottom of the table in the U14 Premier League. If they want to compete with the London Dragons, they have a big challenge ahead of them. Samantha is back to coach the Knights, but some of Leo's friends have moved to the U16s or transferred to other clubs. There's a whole new group of players, including Goran, a tough central midfielder who is determined to take Leo's position. To make matters worse, Leo has a setback that might ruin his season - or even his future career. The Youth Premier League is the best in the world, and Leo and his teammates will be tested like never before. Can they handle the pressure, overcome a whole new set of obstacles, and rise to the challenge of a Title Fight? T.Z. Layton's inspiring fourth book in The Academy series is perfect for primary school readers and young sports fans looking for their next exciting read. Ideal for young readers aged 7-13 looking for: Page-turning football chapter books A humorous, action-packed, sports adventure book series like no other!