Number 9: the Beginning | Soccer Books for Kids 8-12 (No.9 Series)

FROM TEXAS DREAMER TO LONDON LEGEND

Jack has never played for a real team—until now.

When a surprise trial lands him at England’s top soccer academy, Jack trades his small Texas town for the cutthroat world of elite football in London. But it’s nothing like he imagined.

Every mistake is punished. Every pass is judged. Rival players want him gone. Alone, out of his depth, and miles behind the others, Jack starts to question everything.

Then he finds The Bandits—an underground crew of street soccer players. No whistles. No coaches. No limits. The kind of football that doesn’t follow rules—it makes its own.

As Jack slips between two worlds—the rigid demands of the academy and the raw freedom of street soccer—he learns that greatness isn’t about being perfect... It’s about something much deeper.

When homesickness threatens to break him, bullies target his every weakness, and betrayal hits from the one place he thought was safe, Jack faces his ultimate test.
With his dream hanging by a thread—and the legendary Number 9 shirt within reach—he must dig deeper than ever before.

Does he have what it takes to survive—and prove he truly belongs among the best?

🔥 Why Kids Love It:
✔ Fast-paced matches, epic rivalries, and jaw-dropping street skills
✔ Jack’s a relatable underdog you can’t help but root for
✔ Bursting with energy, emotion, and soccer action from start to finish

💡 Why Parents Love It:
✔ Teaches resilience, teamwork, and confidence
✔ Easy chapters for middle grade reading level
✔ Inspires kids to dream big and never give up
✔ Perfect for 8–12 year olds—especially reluctant readers

⚽ Ideal book series for 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.
For fans of soccer, adventure, sports, and fast-paced underdog stories.
🎯 Join Jack’s thrilling soccer journey today!