Game On! (Star Striker #1)

by Mary Amato (Author)

Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade
Series: Star Striker

Join Albert and a group of ragtag aliens as they dribble, cross, and score across the galaxy in this soccer-themed story of unlikely friendships.

The day that aliens abducted 13-year-old Albert Kinney was the day he was hoping to make the school soccer team. But that's the way life works sometimes, especially for Albert. Astonishingly the Zeenods, don't want to harm Albert, they want him to play soccer. And so, Albert jumps at the chance to join the Zeenods. Yet just as he is introduced to the specifics of their game and all their high-tech gear, he faces a series of direct threats to his life. Does someone have a mysterious vendetta against Albert? Or does their first opponent, the ruthless team from Planet Tev, want to guarantee that they win?

Action-packed, yet filled with humor and heart, Game On! is the first book in a series that features thrilling play-by-play soccer scenes and an intergalactic plot with far-reaching consequences for the Zeenods--and Earth.

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Kirkus

Readers will instantly connect with Albert and his struggles at home, school, and with the sport he loves.

School Library Journal

Though seventh grader Albert Kinney doesn't make the school soccer team, he's chosen for a far more high stakes competition: The Alien Zeenods have selected him to play Johka. To regain control of their planet from the invading Tev, the Zeenods want to win the intergalactic Johka tournament and raise awareness of their suffering. Albert is just what they need to win. Unfortunately, not everyone wants to see him succeed. A jaded Zeenod tries to stop Albert, but a loving dog will do everything he can to protect the boy. This first book in a forthcoming intergalactic sports series will surely please science fiction readers. The writing is descriptive and elaborate without being burdensome. The characters are relatable and well developed with relationship issues and familiar family dynamics. While the ending is triumphant, it is also a bit predictable. Sci-fi fans will probably overlook that flaw and enjoy a solid alien story that doesn't strive to be overly comical or adventurous. VERDICT A solid choice for libraries looking to expand their intergalactic science fiction collections.—Kate Rao, Alhambra Civic Center Lib., Alhambra, CA

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Mary Amato
Mary Amato writes fiction for children, such as the hilarious Riot Brothers series, but she is also a singer-songwriter who performs in the Washington, D.C. area. In addition, she is a co-founder of Firefly Shadow Theater, a puppet company for which she writes and directs shows. Her novels have appeared on children's choice state award lists around the country. She lives in New Jersey.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780823452491
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Holiday House
Publication date
October 18, 2022
Series
Star Striker
BISAC categories
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV032150 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Soccer
JUV053010 - Juvenile Fiction | Science Fiction | Alien Contact
Library of Congress categories
Human-alien encounters
Science fiction
Soccer

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