Football Fever 3: Next Level

Kristin Darell

Puffin, 2023

144pp., pbk., RRP $A14.99

9781761048081

It’s time for the Under 11s Merridale Fever to test their skills against the most talented young footballers in Australia! The whole team has been selected for the National High Potential Pathway program and are taking part in a two-day camp. Both Kat and Crabbie are determined to be chosen for the Game of Stars match but will need to find a way to perform when they’re faced with challenges on and off the field. Can they learn from their football heroes and take it to the next level when it counts?

This is the third in this series that is part of  an expansive publishing program in the lead-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ hosted by Australia and New Zealand and features many of the well-known names of both the Australian Matildas and Socceroos teams.  Young football fans of both genders who are independent readers will enjoy putting themselves in the story as team sports get under way again and the big event approaches, particularly as the titles are being released regularly so there is not a long wait between episodes. 

Regardless of whether the reader is a soccer player or fan, or prefers some other game altogether, the underlying themes of the benefits of playing something such as working together as a team, sharing goals to achieve, overcoming problems and making new friends permeate the stories and thus there is something for each to relate to.  New series which attract and inspire readers are always welcome additions to the collection and one that has such current relevance, particularly so.