The Academy (The Academy Series)

I started reading The Academy with my son, and we were both instantly drawn in. It’s such a heartwarming story — full of meaningful lessons about confidence, teamwork, worry, and friendship. Even though it centers around soccer, the messages translate perfectly to any sport (and really, to life). What surprised me most was how much I loved it too! We started out reading a few chapters together each night, and it sparked so many great conversations. Before long, he was so into it that he started taking it to school to read ahead without me — bittersweet, but definitely a proud mom moment! If you’re looking for a story to share with your child that’s both engaging and full of heart, I can’t recommend The Academy enough. My son has already finished book one, we just started book two, and we’ve pre-ordered the next two coming in 2026. We’re hooked!

As a parent, finding a book that captures my son's attention is a rare and wonderful thing, and "The Academy" by T.Z. Layton has done just that! My son, an avid soccer player, was immediately drawn into the world of a young American boy navigating the challenges of an English professional soccer academy. The detailed soccer play, combined with a relatable and compelling main character, kept him turning pages eagerly. What impressed me most was how the book balanced technical soccer terms with a storyline that was accessible and engaging. Yes, there are many characters and soccer jargon, but my son found this added to the realism and excitement. The secondary plot, including a subtle love interest, was a nice touch that added depth without overwhelming the main story. This book is not just for young readers; I found myself enjoying the story too, making it a great shared reading experience. It's well-written, informative, and perfectly pitched for young sports enthusiasts. I highly recommend "The Academy" for young readers, especially those with a passion for soccer. It's a game-changer in YA sports fiction!

Incredibly engaging. Clearly written by a "writer" that has created a captivating story, and not somebody who has a story but can't write (as I'm surprised to find is often the case with books for young people). My 10 year old soccer playing son loves it; I love it. We're both always eager to read more to see what's going to happen to our main-man, Leo. It's also good motivation - not heavy handed, but I do appreciate the time given to the difficulty and effort required of Leo to meet his goals. Get's my son thinking about such things, which I appreciate. Can't recommend enough.

My Son read all series at least 5 times.

Leo is the best soccer player on his local team. He lives in small-town Ohio but has always dreamed of playing somewhere else, somewhere bigger. He has a legend’s name for goodness sake. During one of his games, a professional scout catches some of his moves and extends an invitation to try out for The Academy, a feeder to one of the best youth squads the London Dragons. As he travels across the ocean for the first time, he is faced with other kids who are also the best on their team. Many have more training. Most have more confidence. But Leo may have the most heart. Will heart, new friendships, and a fast-speed approach to learning everything he can about professional soccer be enough to land him a spot on the Academy? As a soccer fan, I picked this book up a few times and then put it back down. I really wanted to read it with one or both of my boys who recently started playing club soccer, and when I couldn’t convince either of them, I went ahead on my own. I am so glad I did. I loved reading about Leo and his journey to London. While making the team was his goal, I loved all of the other things that happened while he grew as a soccer player. As a reader, I enjoyed the character development, especially reading as Leo learns more about himself every step of the way. The only reason I did not give the book five stars was due to the technical aspect of the book. Personally, I loved all of the soccer theory and verbiage, but I fear it could turn off some readers who may not know enough to understand it. Regardless, it is an excellent middle grade book, especially for soccer players and reluctant readers.

My grandson likes this series.

I bought it for my 12 y.o. and I asked him to review, that's what he wrote: The Academy I “So, I just finished reading The Academy I by T.Z. Layton, and honestly, it’s such a solid start to the series! The story follows Leo, this talented but kind of raw soccer player, as he joins a super competitive academy. What I loved most is how relatable his struggles are—balancing his dreams, self-doubt, and those intense rivalries with his teammates. The soccer scenes are written so well, whether you’re into the sport or not, and the relationships feel super real. It’s not just about the game but also about personal growth, and that’s what kept me hooked. The pacing slows down in a few spots, but by the time I hit the cliffhanger at the end, I was ready to jump straight into the next book. If you love sports fiction or just a good story, this one’s worth checking out!”

My 8 year old loves this book. We read a few pages a night before bed. We take turns because sometimes he doesn’t feel like figuring out some of the words he doesn’t know.

My kid enjoyed the read

Muy buen estado, a mi hijo le está gustando mucho la historia.

A must read for all the budding football teens

My son loves it 10 yo and he is waiting for the 6th book. in the meantime he asks for more and more like these stories

The young reader enjoyed the book.