KEVIN SYLVESTER has written and illustrated more than thirty books for young readers, including the award-winning Apartment 713, the MiNRS trilogy, the Neil Flambé Capers, the Hockey Super Six series, and the nonfiction titles Follow Your Stuff, Follow Your Money, Basketballogy, and Baseballogy. He co-wrote, with Basil Sylvester, the Governor General’s Award-shortlisted The Fabulous Zed Watson! and The Night of the Living Zed. Kevin was once a sportscaster and radio host, and now spends much of his time avoiding work by walking his dog and watching sports. He was also a pretty good soccer player—a mean defender with a shot and zero dribbling skills. Then he got old. Kevin lives in Toronto.

“A fun, informative fan companion for newbies or hardcore fans alike, a must have for elementary and middle schools.” —School Library Journal, 01/26

• IntroductionPart 1: Invention The early years of soccer and how it spread around the globe.Part 2: Evolution How the rules, gear, and playing spaces have changed in modern times.Part 3: Revolution How players work the laws of science—and bend the rules—to push the boundaries of the game.Part 4: Expansion Soccer as a global force that brings players and fans together, but can also ignite conflict and even violence.Part 5: Inclusion Explores barriers and challenges that players may face from a young age. (And there are stories of impressive trailblazers sprinkled throughout the book.)Part 6: Just for Kicks All-time records, weird records, and a trivia test for readers.ReferencesIndexAbout the Author

KEVIN SYLVESTER has written and illustrated more than thirty books for young readers, including the award-winning Apartment 713, the MiNRS trilogy, the Neil Flambé Capers, the Hockey Super Six series, and the nonfiction titles Follow Your Stuff, Follow Your Money, Basketballogy, and Baseballogy. He co-wrote, with Basil Sylvester, the Governor General’s Award-shortlisted The Fabulous Zed Watson! and The Night of the Living Zed. Kevin was once a sportscaster and radio host, and now spends much of his time avoiding work by walking his dog and watching sports. He was also a pretty good soccer player—a mean defender with a shot and zero dribbling skills. Then he got old. Kevin lives in Toronto.

“A fun, informative fan companion for newbies or hardcore fans alike, a must have for elementary and middle schools.” —School Library Journal, 01/26

• IntroductionPart 1: Invention The early years of soccer and how it spread around the globe.Part 2: Evolution How the rules, gear, and playing spaces have changed in modern times.Part 3: Revolution How players work the laws of science—and bend the rules—to push the boundaries of the game.Part 4: Expansion Soccer as a global force that brings players and fans together, but can also ignite conflict and even violence.Part 5: Inclusion Explores barriers and challenges that players may face from a young age. (And there are stories of impressive trailblazers sprinkled throughout the book.)Part 6: Just for Kicks All-time records, weird records, and a trivia test for readers.ReferencesIndexAbout the Author

KEVIN SYLVESTER has written and illustrated more than thirty books for young readers, including the award-winning Apartment 713, the MiNRS trilogy, the Neil Flambé Capers, the Hockey Super Six series, and the nonfiction titles Follow Your Stuff, Follow Your Money, Basketballogy, and Baseballogy. He co-wrote, with Basil Sylvester, the Governor General’s Award-shortlisted The Fabulous Zed Watson! and The Night of the Living Zed. Kevin was once a sportscaster and radio host, and now spends much of his time avoiding work by walking his dog and watching sports. He was also a pretty good soccer player—a mean defender with a shot and zero dribbling skills. Then he got old. Kevin lives in Toronto.

“A fun, informative fan companion for newbies or hardcore fans alike, a must have for elementary and middle schools.” —School Library Journal, 01/26

• IntroductionPart 1: Invention The early years of soccer and how it spread around the globe.Part 2: Evolution How the rules, gear, and playing spaces have changed in modern times.Part 3: Revolution How players work the laws of science—and bend the rules—to push the boundaries of the game.Part 4: Expansion Soccer as a global force that brings players and fans together, but can also ignite conflict and even violence.Part 5: Inclusion Explores barriers and challenges that players may face from a young age. (And there are stories of impressive trailblazers sprinkled throughout the book.)Part 6: Just for Kicks All-time records, weird records, and a trivia test for readers.ReferencesIndexAbout the Author