About Soccer Suspicions:

Short Novel - (Girl Lead Character)

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1666330027/ref=nosim?tag=beyondwordsle-20

A professional soccer star has loaned a treasured medal to Stratford Park Middle School goalie Gabriella Carter. But the medal has gone missing! Gabriella and her teammate Serena are determined to track it down as they gather information from classmates throughout the school. From the robotics lab to the computer room to student activities room, the soccer players gather clues that make one thing clear: someone stole it. The question is who and why?

Included:

·       18-question multiple choice quiz

·       Vocabulary lesson and practice

Overview: Jake Maddox also publishes short novels that have a modestly higher level of challenge because they are a little longer in the number of words with definite themes. You’ll recognize these because the full title includes “JV” for junior varsity.  Their vocabulary level remains appropriate for grades 4 and up.  However, the key characters are still ages 12-15 who are playing school sports. Sports’ themes make them ideal for slow, or reluctant, readers in grades 5-8 as well. Of the 18 questions on the exam, one involves higher order skills based on theme. A vocabulary lesson and practice are also included. What makes these short novels more entertaining is that readers are challenged to solve a real “mystery.”

Age Level and Length: Middle-school readers that read on grade level will find each one a “quick read” of perhaps an hour and a half. Students that are below grade level will take somewhat longer, but they should still be able to read and enjoy these high-interest novels. The quizzes take 20 to 25 minutes.

Maturity or Political Issues: None.  The stories focus on the challenges and rewards of being part of a team and playing a sport.   The main characters often win games, but they also sometimes lose.  There is an emphasis on honesty and sportsmanlike behavior.  A few books mention a “crush” on an opposite-sex student, but there is no physical intimacy or dating.  Parents of the young athletes are generally portrayed in a positive manner.  

Additional Considerations: Parents or teachers of middle-schoolers who don’t like to read face a dilemma that these books can help solve.  To increase reading comprehension and fluency, one must read.  At this age, students who don’t like to read have probably fallen below grade level on skills, because they haven’t read enough books to catch up to an age-appropriate grade level.  They are stuck at an elementary-age reading level.  However, they don’t want to read elementary-level books because the main character is too young and the story feels too babyish.  The Jake Maddox books help with this dilemma.