The Academy (The Academy Series)

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!

My ten year old son loved this book and read it in just a few days. It was especially fun to read around the World Cup.

My son reads this book at night. it does interest him the way i thought it would but it still a good book for a 13 year old

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!”

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 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!

My 9 year old son has absolutely loved the series and can’t wait for the sixth book to come out! We have read a chapter every night before he goes to bed, and it’s been a great bonding experience, I’ve become invested in the story too! Leo is easy to root for, and there’s plenty of funny bits interwoven throughout the inspiring story. We love it!

My kid enjoyed the read

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

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

História muito bacana e divertida, inglês simples e o autor mostra ter muito conhecimento sobre futebol deixando a leitura ainda mais interessante

My 9 year old son is a sports fanatic! He wasn’t overly excited to try this book at first, as it is almost 300 pages and looked intimidating. Once he gave it a chance, he was hooked!! He even picked reading before bed over watching TV when given the option. He couldn't wait to see what happens next. He says this is his favourite book of all time.