Soccer Circus [Hardcover]

Jamie Gilson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Ordered to behave himself at the out-of-town soccer match or else lose his privileges and the use of his bike, Hobie finds that he has trouble obeying when he walks into the middle of a mystery.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

" 'I can't believe you did it,' my dad said." And, not surprisingly, the rapscallion Hobie is off and running smack dab into trouble--in this case, riding his bicycle through wet cement, for openers, in this seventh installment of the popular lad's monkeyshines. Later, finding himself at the Megadome Motel (participation in a soccer tournament includes an overnight), Hobie becomes embroiled in the intrigue of a murder mystery weekend, a clown wedding and the ubiquitous horseplay of his teammates. As usual in these spirited tales, Hobie's good intentions blend with slapsticky episodes to create kid-pleasing farce. The plot here seems occasionally disjointed, though possessed of that particular logic clear to youngsters. A typically frenetic pace, comical dialogue ("If I'd known it was going to turn out like this I would never ever have allowed you to be a penguin")--and, of course, the presence front and center of the always-likable Hobie guarantee another good time for Gilson's many fans. Illustrations not seen by PW . Ages 8-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- When Hobie Hanson's soccer team goes away on an overnight tournament, Hobie has every intention of behaving himself. Also staying at their motel are kids from other teams and adults on a murder-mystery weekend. The children all expect to go wild, envisioning all-night TV-viewing, elevator tag, and water-balloon bombs hurtled from balconies. Instead, Hobie finds himself participating in a clown wedding, where he unintentionally destroys the buffet table. He also sneaks out of his room at midnight to help a senior citizen "sleuth." The emphasis of the plot is on the motel antics, without much soccer action. Accompanied by occasional black-and-white drawings, the story starts slowly but eventually gains momentum, accurately capturing the joy of children who are free of their parents, if only for a night. Not exceptional, but still fun. --George Delalis, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 177 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (April 26, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688120210
• ISBN-13: 978-0688120214
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,580,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soccer CIrcus, December 1, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Soccer Circus (Hardcover)

Go Zappers go! The Zappers take a road trip in Soccer Circus to a big tournament. Before the big trip Hobie, a member of the team, wasn't paying attention while riding his bike and rode into wet cement. He was fined and yelled at, but was still allowed to attend the tournament. His Father told him he had to keep his nose clean or he would take away Hobie's bike.

On the way to the tournament the team finds they don't get very well as they thought. The boy's bother the girl's, the girl's whine, and Hobie just sits quietly playing tic-tac-toe.

They lost the first game, so they decided to go see a circus wedding. Somehow Hobie ends up on in a penguin costume riding on top of a car full of circus clowns.

I think this book would be good for children that love playing soccer between the ages of 10-12. It may not be interesting for kids younger or older. I enjoyed the book very much. It's a little hard to follow, but only in the beginning. This book is very well written and very enjoyable. I'm not giving away any more, you'll have to read it yourself.

4.0 out of 5 stars pretty good, not the best, November 19, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Soccer Circus (Paperback)

i thought it was a good book but not the best, Jamie Gilson has writen better ones, i highly recomend Sammy Keyes series by Wendelin Van Dranaanen

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious!, June 28, 2001

By 

Amy Flink (Snohomish WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soccer Circus (Hardcover)

I laughed my head off when I read this book! The Hobie books are so funny and awesome! He and his soccer team have a game but Hobie is on thin ice with his dad but he cannot stay out of trouble! He doesn't think before he acts!