2014
WISE Score
Soccer, mystery, and teamwork collide in Alex Morgan's second installment of The Kicks.
Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
This is a solid, clean sports read that hits exactly the right notes for its target audience. It’s written by Alex Morgan, so the soccer details feel authentic even if the mystery is a bit 'middle-school drama.'
It’s a great bridge for kids who love sports but aren't yet 'readers.' It doesn't try to be high literature, and it doesn't need to—it's a fun, fast-paced story about girls who love their sport and each other.
Perfect for the 8-12 crowd. It's written at a very accessible level, making it a great pick for soccer-obsessed kids who might usually find reading a chore.
Strong focus on teamwork, female friendship, and handling interpersonal conflict with maturity. It models healthy sportsmanship even when things get messy.
It's a standard contemporary sports mystery. It doesn't break new ground in storytelling, but it effectively uses a 'whodunit' structure to keep kids engaged with a realistic setting.
Extremely safe middle-grade fiction. No profanity, graphic violence, or mature themes. The tension is strictly related to soccer and school-aged social dynamics.
Great for building background knowledge on soccer culture and team ethics. It encourages critical thinking through its mystery elements and promotes persistence.
Get a personalized guide on any topic
