<i>Like lightning/you strike/fast and free/legs zoom/down field/eyes fixed/</i><i>on the checkered ball/on the goal/ten yards to go/can't nobody stop you/</i><br> <i>can't nobody cop you ... </i><br> In this follow-up to the Newbery-winning novel THE CROSSOVER, soccer, family, love, and friendship, take center stage as twelve-year-old Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams. Helping him along are his best friend and sometimes teammate Coby, and The Mac, a rapping librarian who gives Nick inspiring books to read. <br> This electric and heartfelt novel-in-verse by poet Kwame Alexander bends and breaks as it captures all the thrills and setbacks, action and emotion of a World Cup match!
