Guy Friday- Super Sub

Please remember that while I am somewhat of an expert on sport books, I have never actually seen a soccer game and know nothing about the sport! 

Gibbons, Alan. Super Sub

January 14, 2025 by Union Square Kids 

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Paul "Smithy" Smith plays soccer with the Jags team, although their nickname is the Lemons, since they haven't had a great season. When a new player, Bengo, shows up, Smithy is surprised that such a good player hasn't been around. Bengo is super fast and very talented. When Smithy has a bad game and has a problem with a player he refers to as "Grumpy", Bengo is put in to sub for him. Bengo does a great job, and after the game tells Smithy his story; he was on the team, but broke his ankle in a tackle gone wrong and had to be in a cast for six weeks. He plays well... unless there's a tackle. He's very skittish, and blows a couple of plays because he doesn't want to get hurt. Smithy and Bengo practice together, and help each other out a lot. Smithy learns not to let interpersonal problems with other players get to him, and Bengo learns how to fight through his fear so that he can continue to play, and possible be scouted for a higher level team. Information between the chapters covers the historical use of substitutes in soccer games, which was not a widespread practice until the later twentieth century. 

Strengths: This had lots and lots of soccer plays for readers who are into the sport, but I liked Bengo's story, and the fact that he and Smithy struck up a mutually beneficial friendship. The history was good as well, and will appeal to fans of Fred Bowen's fantastic titles like Soccer Trophy Mystery, Out of Bounds, and Go for the Goal. There are a LOT of students who get injured playing soccer, and it can be hard to come back from an injury. Preller's new Shaken deals with a concussion, but a broken ankle is serious as well! I was glad to see that Bengon was able to work through his fear. 
Weaknesses: Astute readers will pick up that this is a UK title, but there's no tea being served! They will also probably be aware of the history, which is heavier on UK teams, but does include world soccer as well. 

What I really think: This book, with a fantastic cover and short length, will be a HUGE hit with my students, and goes well with Gibbons' Keeper as well as Fabbri and Brown's Back of the Net series as the Jake Maddox sports books.