Kick

Kick focuses on Kevin Johnson, a thirteen-year-old soccer player who faces serious legal trouble after an incident involving a police sergeant's car. The story alternates between Kevin's perspective and that of Sergeant Brown, who becomes involved in Kevin's case. Soccer represents both Kevin's passion and his potential path forward, but his legal situation puts his athletic future at risk. The relationship between Kevin and Sergeant Brown develops as they work to uncover the truth about what really happened that night. The novel tackles themes of trust, responsibility, and the importance of positive mentorship in young people's lives. Through Kevin's story, the book examines how split-second decisions can have major consequences for youth, while exploring the complex dynamics between law enforcement and teenagers.

Readers find this to be a straightforward young adult sports story that moves quickly. The soccer elements and legal drama balance each other while addressing themes of friendship and responsibility. Positive feedback: - Authentic teen dialogue and interactions - Clear messages about consequences and loyalty - Soccer scenes that capture game excitement - Accessible reading level for middle school students Common criticisms: - Plot feels predictable and formulaic - Characters lack depth beyond surface level - Writing style is basic and unpolished - Resolution wraps up too neatly Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (303 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (20 ratings) "The dual perspective between teen and adult characters adds interest," notes one Goodreads reviewer, while another states "the story relies too heavily on sports fiction clichés." Several teachers mention using it successfully with reluctant readers, though some find it "too simplistic for high school level."

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🔹 Co-author Ross Workman was only 13 years old when he began collaborating with Walter Dean Myers on this book through email exchanges 🔹 Walter Dean Myers played competitive soccer in his youth, which helped him write authentically about the sport in "Kick" 🔹 The novel addresses the real issue of racial profiling in law enforcement, as protagonist Kevin's father is a police officer struggling with this aspect of his profession 🔹 The book's unique alternating narrative structure was inspired by the actual email exchanges between Myers and Workman during their writing process 🔹 Walter Dean Myers mentored young writers through his "Be Write!" program, and his collaboration with Ross Workman on "Kick" was an extension of his commitment to nurturing young talent