Six classmates find themselves at odds over the football stadium in their town of Tackleford, England. The girls are worried about an old lady who is about to lose her home to the stadium upgrade, whereas the boys are more worried about the curse plaguing the owner. But those issues are hard to handle when the kids are also trying to navigate their way through their first year at grammar school. This volume kicks off Allison's popular webcomic, which is itself a spin-off from his older webcomic Scary Go Round. Likely owing to its serial origins and its prequel nature, the story can be choppy, switches abruptly between slice-of-life and story arc, and sometimes seems to leave things out. But fans of the online strip and its predecessor, as well as teens and adults who like a bit of smart snark and sass, will appreciate Allison's unique humor and offbeat story as well as the Kate Beaton like (though full-color) art.

Gr 7-10 Originally published as a serialized webcomic, The Case of the Team Spirit introduces a group of British tweens involved in a mystery. A series of strange events leads some people to believe that the local Tackleford City Football Club is cursed. Meanwhile, plans for a new stadium are being blocked by tough old Mrs. Biscuits. Six students become unlikely detectives, unraveling the case while navigating life as first-year grammar school students. Each comic is built to stand alone while connecting to the larger story, sometimes stalling momentum. The quirky dialogue includes significant doses of snark. The vivid, full-color illustrations are lovely. The line work is smooth, well defined, and efficient, successfully conveying the emotions of the characters. The large trim size and simple panel layouts add to the visual appeal. Back matter includes a glossary of lesser-known UK terms and phrases used in the book, brief bios of each character, and a mock newspaper history of the Tackleford Football Club. Unique in both story and tone, this title is perfect for graphic-novel fans looking for something a bit different. Travis Jonker, Wayland Union Schools, MI