The Academy
Original price was: $14.99.$12.74Current price is: $12.74.
FROM THE PLAYGROUND TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE.
Now a New York Times bestselling series! The inspiring, action-packed first book, perfect for young readers 7-13 and sports fans of all ages.
Born and raised in a small town, twelve-year-old Leo K. Doyle has never seen the ocean or stepped foot on a plane. But Leo is a star soccer player with big dreams in life.
Rock star, Olympic gold, dragon-slaying dreams.
While Leo longs to make the pros one day, he has no idea how to achieve this goal―until a professional scout pays a chance visit to one of Leo’s games and extends an invitation to try out for the London Dragons youth squad, known as the Academy.
Leo is stunned. The London Dragons isn’t just any old soccer team. It’s a world-famous English Premier League team. Soon Leo is off to a whole new country, embarking on the greatest adventure of his life. The downside? Only eleven players can make the team.
Eleven out of two hundred of the very best twelve-year-old players on the planet.
Along with the grueling competition, Leo must also face a bully intent on torpedoing his summer, a roomie who doesn’t know how to have fun, a terrifying camp director, and, most of all, Leo’s own lack of formal training and the fear he’ll never succeed.
By the end of the summer, Leo will become a much better player and forever changed by his experience. But will he be good enough to make the Academy?
Keep score with the other books in The Academy series:
The Academy II: The Journey ContinuesThe Academy III: Tournament of ChampionsThe Academy IV: Title FightThe Academy V: Cup of Nations
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Customer Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars 1,826
4.8 out of 5 stars 1,207
4.9 out of 5 stars 896
4.9 out of 5 stars 943
4.9 out of 5 stars 597
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Read more of Leo’s soccer journey in the award-winning Middle Grade series from T.Z. Layton!
Meet Leo, who loves soccer, pizza, and FIFA. When he gets an opportunity to try out for the Youth Premier League, will the grueling trainings, player competition, and high stakes soccer prove too much for Leo? Journey alongside Leo as he joins the Lewisham Knights: the worst ranked team in the Youth Premier League. Between his cranky coach and new teammates, can Leo find his place and help the Knights? Travel with Leo around Europe as his team competes in the tournament of a lifetime! But will a new coach, terrible team chemistry, and a double-crossing teammate ruin the Knights’ chances of winning the title? Cheer Leo on as the Knights prepare to take on the Dragons! But before Leo faces the league’s top team, he’ll have to navigate a whole new set of teammates and a setback that could end his soccer career. Return with Leo to the States to represent his country on the USA junior national team! With little time to mesh and everyone expecting the worst from team USA, will Leo be able to pull his squad together for the Cup of Nations?
Publisher : Sourcebooks Young Readers
Publication date : September 2, 2025
Language : English
Print length : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 146426709X
ISBN-13 : 978-1464267093
Item Weight : 1.01 pounds
Reading age : 8 – 10 years, from customers
Dimensions : 5.75 x 1.01 x 8.75 inches
Book 1 of 6 : The Academy
Grade level : 2 – 8
Best Sellers Rank: #7,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1 in Children’s Soccer Books (Books) #2 in Children’s New Experiences Books #2 in Children’s Travel Books (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,826 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Megan Dean –
A heartwarming, relatable story that got my son hooked on reading!
I started reading The Academy with my son, and we were both instantly drawn in. It’s such a heartwarming story — full of meaningful lessons about confidence, teamwork, worry, and friendship. Even though it centers around soccer, the messages translate perfectly to any sport (and really, to life).What surprised me most was how much I loved it too! We started out reading a few chapters together each night, and it sparked so many great conversations. Before long, he was so into it that he started taking it to school to read ahead without me — bittersweet, but definitely a proud mom moment!If you’re looking for a story to share with your child that’s both engaging and full of heart, I can’t recommend The Academy enough. My son has already finished book one, we just started book two, and we’ve pre-ordered the next two coming in 2026. We’re hooked!
fingersmazda –
Well written, engaging, encouraging. Dad genuinely enjoys it as much as his 10 year old son.
Incredibly engaging. Clearly written by a “writer” that has created a captivating story, and not somebody who has a story but can’t write (as I’m surprised to find is often the case with books for young people). My 10 year old soccer playing son loves it; I love it. We’re both always eager to read more to see what’s going to happen to our main-man, Leo. It’s also good motivation – not heavy handed, but I do appreciate the time given to the difficulty and effort required of Leo to meet his goals. Get’s my son thinking about such things, which I appreciate. Can’t recommend enough.
Antoni Luc –
A great story and as positive message!
Read this book with my young soccer player and enjoyed the fast paced narrative and the positive message of perseverance and determination in working towards a goal.
Sarah –
Love this series!
My 9 year old son has absolutely loved the series and can’t wait for the sixth book to come out! We have read a chapter every night before he goes to bed, and it’s been a great bonding experience, I’ve become invested in the story too! Leo is easy to root for, and there’s plenty of funny bits interwoven throughout the inspiring story. We love it!
MissGMWC –
Not just a book about soccer
Leo is the best soccer player on his local team. He lives in small-town Ohio but has always dreamed of playing somewhere else, somewhere bigger. He has a legend’s name for goodness sake. During one of his games, a professional scout catches some of his moves and extends an invitation to try out for The Academy, a feeder to one of the best youth squads the London Dragons. As he travels across the ocean for the first time, he is faced with other kids who are also the best on their team. Many have more training. Most have more confidence. But Leo may have the most heart. Will heart, new friendships, and a fast-speed approach to learning everything he can about professional soccer be enough to land him a spot on the Academy?As a soccer fan, I picked this book up a few times and then put it back down. I really wanted to read it with one or both of my boys who recently started playing club soccer, and when I couldn’t convince either of them, I went ahead on my own. I am so glad I did. I loved reading about Leo and his journey to London. While making the team was his goal, I loved all of the other things that happened while he grew as a soccer player. As a reader, I enjoyed the character development, especially reading as Leo learns more about himself every step of the way. The only reason I did not give the book five stars was due to the technical aspect of the book. Personally, I loved all of the soccer theory and verbiage, but I fear it could turn off some readers who may not know enough to understand it. Regardless, it is an excellent middle grade book, especially for soccer players and reluctant readers.
Donna s. –
Good book for 10 year olds
My grandson likes this series.
Maryo KOHEN –
The Academy
If you like soccer exciting sports twist and turns this book definitely for you , 5 stars definitely getting the whole series as it comes out
Sweetcheek –
Great book!
This is a great book! I’ve been reading it with my 10yo son. He loves soccer. I work with elementary aged kids and i would recommend this book for 9 to 13 year olds. Maybe a mature 8? It’s got some age appropriate “romance” (older teenaged coaches are dating) and humor. It has some good lessons about failure and success. Already ordered the 2nd book in the series!
Amazon Customer –
My kid enjoyed the read
Leandro –
Muy buen estado, a mi hijo le está gustando mucho la historia.
Doc –
A must read for all the budding football teens
Dash –
My son loves it 10 yo and he is waiting for the 6th book. in the meantime he asks for more and more like these stories
Alicia –
Finally found a book our 11yr didn’t need to be forced to read. He read and reread this. Great for young soccer fans