From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-Lizzie has enjoyed playing indoor soccer until her athletically talented younger sister's team is allowed to "play up" in the Christmas tournament and the siblings' teams are pitted against one another. Lizzie's parents appear rather unsympathetic to their older daughter's plight. A side story develops when Lizzie's nemesis teases her relentlessly, causing trouble at school. Showing more wisdom than the parents, Lizzie and her teammates clearly state their objections to playing the younger girls. Their feeling is that average players are always forgotten, and that they are obligated to provide the younger, talented ones with a "growing experience," which ultimately takes away the fun for them. However, Rivers seems to wrap up this important theme in a few short paragraphs. After Lizzie accidentally kicks her sister when they both go for the ball, the coach and parents agree to work on a solution for both elite athletes and recreational players. Still, the author is right on the money when describing a seventh grader's worries about a younger sibling and a boy. If more soccer stories are needed, this one stands out by covering thought-provoking territory.
Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Review
Praise for the Sports Stories series:
"These stories are exceedingly well-written and speak to their themes well." (Hamilton Spectator )
"[Off the Wall] stands out by covering thought-provoking territory." (School Library Journal )
Camilla Reghelini Rivers has written a thoughtful story about the difficulties of being a teenager... Teen readers can sympathize with Lizzie and see themselves in this high spirited character. The pages contain comedy, tears and the wonder of finding a new friend... Real life! Recommended. (Elaine Fuhr CM: Canadian Review of Materials )
"These stories are exceedingly well-written and speak to their themes well." (Hamilton Spectator )
"[Off the Wall] stands out by covering thought-provoking territory." (School Library Journal )
Camilla Reghelini Rivers has written a thoughtful story about the difficulties of being a teenager... Teen readers can sympathize with Lizzie and see themselves in this high spirited character. The pages contain comedy, tears and the wonder of finding a new friend... Real life! Recommended. (Elaine Fuhr CM: Canadian Review of Materials )
Book Description
Indoor soccer is what Lizzie does best. At school other kids bug her and her teacher thinks she's a troublemaker, but during a game she feels focused, free.
Lately, however, her younger sister Shelby has taken up the game. Shelby's a nice kid, but she leads a charmed life--she copies everything Lizzie does, then does it better. Soon Shelby is a soccer star and her team is challenging Lizzie's in tournament play. When the girls are pitted against each other on the field, hurt feelings fuel a brutal competition, with dangerous results.
Off the Wall shows the difficulty of acknowledging the best qualities in those we love, and in ourselves. (20120309)
Lately, however, her younger sister Shelby has taken up the game. Shelby's a nice kid, but she leads a charmed life--she copies everything Lizzie does, then does it better. Soon Shelby is a soccer star and her team is challenging Lizzie's in tournament play. When the girls are pitted against each other on the field, hurt feelings fuel a brutal competition, with dangerous results.
Off the Wall shows the difficulty of acknowledging the best qualities in those we love, and in ourselves. (20120309)
