Booked Author:Kwame Alexander National Book Award Long List — New York Times Bestseller — Like lightning — you strike — fast and free — legs zoom — down field — eyes fixed — on the checkered ball — on the goal — ten yards to go — can’t nobody stop you — can't nobody cop you — In this follow-up to the Newbery-winning novel The Crossover, soccer, family, love, a... more »nd 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. 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!« less