This second book in the 4 for 4 series (after Top of the Order, 2009), finds the quartet of Jackson, Gig, Isaac, and Diego readying for a trip to soccer camp, even though except for Diego, they're more taken by sports that don't bafflingly forbid the use of hands. Like before, Coy includes some issues for character depth, from Gig's father being sent to Afghanistan to Jackson maybe having to move in with his mom's new boyfriend, but these take a firm backseat to the action on the field, which Coy describes with straightforward, articulate prose. Light, enjoyable reading for those downtimes between sports seasons.

Soon-to-be-sixth-grader Jackson (Top of the Order) is psyched to go to soccer camp with his three best friends. But the novice player starts to sour on the sport when he finds himself struggling during practices. Some subplots (Jackson's mother has a boyfriend; a friend's father is getting deployed to Afghanistan) aren't fully developed, but the ins and outs of friendship are realistically depicted.

School's out, fifth grade is over and best friends Jackson, Gig, Isaac and Diego are off to soccer camp. In this second of a four-book, four-sport series, following Top of the Order (2009), Coy offers another successful story of sports and friends, which, like all good sports stories, transcends sports to represent a slice of real life. Jackson wonders about his life now that his mother has a new boyfriend, Gig worries about his father's deployment to Afghanistan and suddenly the boys are noticing girls. At camp, the difficulties provoked when Diego and Gig are placed in a more advanced level are balanced against the boys' efforts to investigate some possible ghosts. The author captures the fifth graders' sensibility, language and loyalty to each other through Jackson's direct, present-tense narration, and short, simple sentences, lots of dialogue and plenty of soccer action make this a sure hit with young sports fans. A solid, simply told sports story for readers not yet ready for John Feinstein, Mike Lupica and Robert Lipsyte. (Fiction. 8-12)

Gr 3-6 Jackson Kennedy has finished fifth grade, along with Diego, Gig, and Isaac. Diego, an experienced player, has convinced them all to attend a weeklong summer soccer camp at a local college. Initially, the boys are put on separate teams, because Jackson and Isaac are new to the sport. After enjoyable episodes with an alleged ghost and some girl interest, the four work together when Diego convinces a counselor to let them all play as a team for the final tournament. These friends exhibit a good sense of humor along with authentic-sounding complaints and bickering about playing and learning new skills. Personalities are further developed as Jackson finds his niche as a goalie and Diego exhibits humility as well as problem-solving talents on the field. Coy has created a story of just the right length to keep his fans engaged. It is not necessary to have read Top of the Order (Feiwel & Friends, 2009) to appreciate this one. Hints of fall football in middle school indicate that a third book is to follow. Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA