The Ultimate Goal (Good Sports League #1)

Ben Cutler loves soccer—and this fast-paced, illustrated chapter book follows him as he moves from his fun, easygoing rec team to a more competitive travel squad, where winning suddenly matters more than anything else.

Ben has a great team, with the best pregame chants, halftime jokes, and celebrations. He and his best friend Jay-Jay even invent dances for when they score a goal. And Ben is good at soccer—really good.

Soon he's recruited to join a travel team that plays at a higher level. But on his new team, things are different: no pregame chants, no juice-box breaks, and the most important rule of all—no dancing.

Even though his new team is winning all the time, Ben starts to wonder if something important has been lost along the way.

As the pressure builds, Ben has to decide what kind of player—and teammate—he wants to be, and whether winning is really the ultimate goal. Readers will recognize the challenge of staying true to what they love, even as expectations change.

Comic panels and spot illustrations bring the sports action to life in a format perfect for reluctant readers.

Put on your cleats, grab your jersey, and join the Good Sports League! This funny chapter book series about sports and sportsmanship is from acclaimed author Tommy Greenwald.