Benched: Benched
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Worried about his parents' frequent arguments, Ben starts acting out at school, where he loses recess privileges after fighting on the playground, and on the soccer field, where he is benched for two games after some aggressive moves. Wallace makes the scenes on the soccer field as readable as those set at home and at school. Holder's illustrations underscore the characters' emotions. Like the other volumes in the Kickers series, this beginning chapter book concludes with a page of soccer tips. Reflecting the story, here they emphasize controlling anger as much as passing the ball and having fun.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist

In Fake Out, Ben, stymied by a sneaky move from an opposing player, resolves to practice hard and perfect the play. Benched finds the young soccer star frustrated by his team's lack of skill. Chatty banter and soccer fundamentals, along with "Ben's Top Tips for Soccer Players," make these easy-to-read sports series entries believable and instructive. Lively gray-scale pictures illustrate events. [Review covers these Kickers titles: Benched and Fake Out.] (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Worried about his parents' frequent arguments, Ben starts acting out at school, where he loses recess privileges after fighting on the playground, and on the soccer field, where he is benched for two games after some aggressive moves. Wallace makes the scenes on the soccer field as readable as those set at home and at school. Holder's illustrations underscore the characters' emotions. Like the other volumes in the Kickers series, this beginning chapter book concludes with a page of soccer tips. Reflecting the story, here they emphasize controlling anger as much as passing the ball and having fun. Copyright 2011 Booklist Reviews.