Soccer 'Cats #1: The Captain Contest [Hardcover]

Matt Christopher (Author), The #1 Sports Writer for Kids (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999 | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Soccer Cats (Book 1)

When Dewey and Bundy see the sign about the new summer soccer league, they're psyched. Then they read the fine print and learn about the contest: Whoever draws the best team logo will be named captain of his or her team and see the logo reproduced on team t-shirts.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kicking off the Soccer 'Cats series, credited to the late Christopher, this early chapter book introduces 10-year-old Dewey and his best friend, Bundy. When the two spot a poster announcing a contest to come up with a team name and T-shirt logo for the summer soccer league, they have very different reactions. Bundy thinks it would be "awesome" to head up the team, but "just barely passed art last year." A talented artist, Dewey is psyched about designing a team logo, but the thought of being team captain makes him a "little queasy." Undecided about entering the competition, Dewey doesn't speak up when Bundy asks his teammates if they plan to enter the contest. They all agree that Bundy would make the ideal captain, and he assumes the captain's position is in the bag. As Dewey mulls over whether or not to enter the contest, the narrative convincingly presents his anguish over the possibility of jeopardizing his friendship with Bundy as well as his trepidation about becoming captain. Despite its single-issue focus, the plot moves along at a sprightly pace, though young soccer buffs (especially those familiar with Christopher's oeuvre) may be disappointed at the minimal action on the playing field. The series' second installment, Operation Baby-Sitter, is being published simultaneously. Ages 7-9.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-3-When two 10-year-old friends sign up for a summer soccer league, they discover there is a contest to name and design logos for the teams. The winners will become captains and their designs, part of the uniforms. Bundy is a natural leader but not a good artist. Dewey can draw well but wants nothing to do with being in charge, yet plans to enter anyway. When he finally lets his friend know, Bundy is upset. Nothing too suspenseful takes place in this beginning chapter book. In fact, the outcome is evident immediately-Dewey arranges for Bundy to be captain of the Soccer 'Cats even though it's his logo that wins. The plot is neither interesting nor realistic. The book is illustrated with a few black line drawings. All in all, this posthumous publication is not up to Christopher's previous standards.
Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown; 1st edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316141690
• ISBN-13: 978-0316141697
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,162,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Matthew F. Christopher was born on August 16, 1917, in Bath, Pa. He was the oldest of nine children and a talented athlete, playing baseball, football and soccer in high school. He became interested in writing at the age of 14 and in 1940 had his first story published in a detective magazine. He began writing children's books in the mid 1950's with the publication of THE LUCKY BASEBALL BAT (Little, Brown and Company).

Christopher became well-known for his sports fiction novels for children with over 130 titles bearing his name. He was awarded numerous writing honors from state organizations as well as the 1993 Milner Award. Besides books, he had about 275 short stories and articles published in over 65 children and adult magazines over the years. He is considered America's best selling sports book author.

Matt Christopher and his wife Cay were the parents of four children and the grandparents of ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He died in 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Friends Forever, July 20, 2010

By 

Kerri Busteed "Kerri J. Busteed" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soccer Cats #1: The Captain Contest (Paperback)

When two friends see a poster for a summer soccer team sign up they are instantly excited, but when they realize that whomever makes the tee shirt design for the team gets to be team captain they are both really excited. There's only one problem. One can't draw, but he would make an excellent team leader. The other one can draw, but has no interest in being team captain. Only turning the pages will allow you to find out which friend, Dewey or Bundy, gets to be the winner of the contest!

This is a great book to get kids thinking about what their talents are and what they would do in Dewey and Bundy's situation. This is a great series of books for early readers. My seven year old is the one who picked out this book for us to read and can't wait for the next book in the series that we chose to read. Definitely a fun read!

By Kerri J. Busteed
Author of Will's First Hunt Will's First Hunt

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soccer Story, January 13, 2008

By 

Dr. Joan E. Aitken "author of Interpersonal C... (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soccer Cats #1: The Captain Contest (Paperback)

Sports Stories. Mid-upper elementary.

Summary
Stookie Norris's older brother, Greg, makes a soccer hat trick and gets his picture in the paper. This prompts Stookie to try to score all during his next game by hogging the ball. He plays out of position, fails to work with the team, wears himself out, and gets chewed out by the coach.

Illustrations
Some black and white drawings in the book.