SOCCER BUGS is a sports book for middle grade readers that combines fast-paced soccer action with powerful social issues -- including bullying, divorce, and memory loss. Like all Bo Rush books, SOCCER BUGS uses sports to celebrate diversity and inclusion, grapple with important life lessons, and reaffirm important values like courage, determination, and friendship. SOCCER BUGS takes place in the fictional town of New Abe in Sangamon County, Illinois. Midwestern geography and climate are ever-present, and the ghost of Abe Lincoln and his dog Fido offer a twist that is both entertaining and educational. Ten-year-old Rio Planck witnesses first-hand how his adopted grandpa molds a ragtag bunch of rejects into a championship soccer team. The "Lightning Bugs" feature a superstar striker who uses bilateral cochlear implants to hear, and a hyper-focused goalkeeper who is on the autism spectrum. When their aging coach develops Alzheimer's can no longer guide them, the young players use the lessons they've learned on and off the field to complete their surprising season in spectacular, nail-biting fashion.
Author: Bo Rush Publisher: Earth's Future Published: 09/12/2016 Pages: 194 Binding Type: Paperback Weight: 0.50lbs Size: 7.99h x 5.24w x 0.45d ISBN: 9780964410114
About the Author As a boy, Bo Rush loved to read sports stories. In fact, he refused to read anything else. That singular passion resulted in proficient reading skills -- skills that transferred to other genres when Bo was in high school and college. For the last two decades, Bo has taught Language Arts in Colorado. Every year, Bo sees students who avoid reading. They start and quickly abandon books others are reading because of the level of difficulty or unappealing subject matter. That's why Bo wrote SOCCER BUGS, BOBBLEHEAD BEATDOWN, BASKETBALL BROTHER, OKLAHOMA SHAKE, and SOCCER SIDEKICKS -- for kids who love sports but don't love reading. He wants to spark that love of reading in youngsters, particularly those who are struggling to find the right book. Learn more about this great sports book series at borushbooks.com.
