The Academy - by T Z Layton (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Born and raised in a small town, Leo K. Doyle has never seen the ocean or stepped foot on a plane. But Leo is a star soccer player with big dreams in life. Rock-star, Olympic gold, dragon-slaying dreams. While Leo longs to make the pros one day, he has no idea how to achieve this goal-until a professional scout pays a chance visit to one of Leo's games and extends an invitation to try out for the London Dragons youth squad known as The Academy, a world-famous English Premier League team. Soon Leo is off to a whole new country, embarking on the greatest adventure of his life. The downside? Only eleven players can make the team. Along with the grueling competition, Leo must also face a bully intent on torpedoing his summer, a roomie who doesn't know how to have fun, a terrifying camp director, and most of all, Leo's own lack of formal training and the fear he'll never succeed. By the end of the summer, Leo will become a much better player and forever changed by his experience. But will he be good enough to make the Academy?"--Publisher.

Book Synopsis

FROM THE PLAYGROUND TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE.

Now a New York Times bestselling series! The inspiring, action-packed first book is the perfect for Christmas gift for young readers 7-13 and sports fans of all ages.

Born and raised in a small town, twelve-year-old Leo K. Doyle has never seen the ocean or stepped foot on a plane. But Leo is a star soccer player with big dreams in life.

Rock star, Olympic gold, dragon-slaying dreams.

While Leo longs to make the pros one day, he has no idea how to achieve this goal--until a professional scout pays a chance visit to one of Leo's games and extends an invitation to try out for the London Dragons youth squad, known as the Academy.

Leo is stunned. The London Dragons isn't just any old soccer team. It's a world-famous English Premier League team. Soon Leo is off to a whole new country, embarking on the greatest adventure of his life. The downside? Only eleven players can make the team.

Eleven out of two hundred of the very best twelve-year-old players on the planet.

Along with the grueling competition, Leo must also face a bully intent on torpedoing his summer, a roomie who doesn't know how to have fun, a terrifying camp director, and, most of all, Leo's own lack of formal training and the fear he'll never succeed.

By the end of the summer, Leo will become a much better player and forever changed by his experience. But will he be good enough to make the Academy?

Keep score with the other books in The Academy series:

• The Academy II: The Journey Continues
• The Academy III: Tournament of Champions
• The Academy IV: Title Fight
• The Academy V: Cup of Nations

Review Quotes

"A solid purchase for soccer players and fans who are looking for middle grade books about their favorite game" -- School Library Journal

"Nothing is more exciting than finding that book that opens the door for undiscovered readers into the world of stories and personal connection. The Academy by T.Z. Layton is one of those books and deserves to be shared with young sports oriented readers." --Brein Lopez, Children's Book World (Los Angeles, CA)

"Young readers continue reading this series, asking for the next one and the one after that...Equally important, this series fills a gap in middle grade literature: action filled, fast-paced sports novels featuring young players."

-- Maria Salvadore, Politics & Prose (Washington, DC)

New York Times Bestseller

Best Kids Books (Barnes & Nobles)

Junior Library Guild Fall Selection

Morning Calm Award (Korea Librarians Association)

"Most Anticipated Fall Books for Young Readers" (Kirkus)

50 Books Kids Love Most (The Week Junior Magazine)

New England Indie Bestsellers List

"The Best New Books for Kids Published in 2025" (The Strategist)

Best Books of the Year (Indigo)

Publisher's Weekly Bestseller

"A page-turner for soccer-mad readers, whether fans or players." -- Kirkus Reviews