Description
*A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Uncover everything you never knew about the beautiful game in this vividly illustrated soccer compendium—from the science of a perfect backspin to soccer heroes who changed the sport forever.
Colourful illustrations, fun infographics, and supercool trivia reveal all about the most-watched sport in the world. Begin with the game’s startling origins or turn to any chapter and dive in! You’ll discover historic firsts, trailblazing athletes, and the weirdest soccer records. Read unforgettable stories about players who pushed the boundaries of the game—sometimes by bending the rules. Learn why soccer had to become more inclusive before it could truly bring people together, and deepen your knowledge with easy-to-read charts, timelines, and further reading. Written and illustrated by former sports broadcaster and award-winning children’s book author Kevin Sylvester, Soccerology is a must-have that’s equally fascinating for soccer newbies and diehard fans.
Author Bio
KEVIN SYLVESTER is the author/illustrator of more than thirty books, including the award-winning Apartment 713, the MiNRS trilogy, the Neil Flambé Capers, The Almost Epic Squad: Mucus Mayhem, and the Hockey Super Six series. Sylvester has won awards from across Canada, among them the Silver Birch Award and the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award. He co-wrote, with Basil Sylvester, the Governor General’s Award–shortlisted The Fabulous Zed Watson! and The Night of the Living Zed. Kevin Sylvester lives in Toronto.
KEVIN SYLVESTER is the author/illustrator of more than thirty books, including the award-winning Apartment 713, the MiNRS trilogy, the Neil Flambé Capers, The Almost Epic Squad: Mucus Mayhem, and the Hockey Super Six series. Sylvester has won awards from across Canada, among them the Silver Birch Award and the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award. He co-wrote, with Basil Sylvester, the Governor General’s Award–shortlisted The Fabulous Zed Watson! and The Night of the Living Zed. Kevin Sylvester lives in Toronto.
Table of contents
Introduction
Part 1: Invention The early years of soccer and how it spread around the globe.
Part 2: Evolution How the rules, gear, and playing spaces have changed in modern times.
Part 3: Revolution How players work the laws of science—and bend the rules—to push the boundaries of the game.
Part 4: Expansion Soccer as a global force that brings players and fans together, but can also ignite conflict and even violence.
Part 5: Inclusion Explores barriers and challenges that players may face from a young age. (And there are stories of impressive trailblazers sprinkled throughout the book.)
Part 6: Just for Kicks All-time records, weird records, and a trivia test for readers.
References
Index
About the Author
Review Quotes
“A fun, informative fan companion for newbies or hardcore fans alike, a must have for elementary and middle schools.”
“Scores for frankness as well as scope.”
“Die-hard soccer fans and soccer novices alike will get a kick out of this fun and informative book.”
“Soccerology is a joyful, clever, and endlessly entertaining read that turns soccer into a world of wonder.”
— Momma Braga, 05/28/26“The beautiful game is even more beautiful with understanding about its history and complexities, and there’s no better way to kick off this year’s World Cup excitement than by sharing SOCCEROLOGY with young fans.”
