{"product_id":"kickers-3-benched-isbn-9780375850943","title":"Kickers #3: Benched","description":"KICKERS: a young middle grade soccer series\u003cbr\u003eBook 3\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eIt’s a race to the Kickers soccer league play-offs. Nine-year-old Ben is pretty sure that if the Bobcats win two of their last three games, they’ll earn a tournament spot. But in their game against the Tigers, the Bobcats are a mess on the field—they’re not passing well at all—and Ben decides to take control. Someone has to win this thing, and his teammates just aren’t measuring up. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThen the whistle blasts, the red card waves, and Ben is out—benched for dangerous moves. Not only that, he’s barred from the next game, too—a key bout against the Rabbits. How can he possibly help his team to the play-offs from the \u003ci\u003esidelines\u003c\/i\u003e?\u003cbr\u003eThe Kickers series, from award-winning sports novelist Rich Wallace, features nonstop soccer action, black-and-white art, and league statistics and soccer tips throughout.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlso available:\u003cbr\u003eKICKERS #1: THE BALL HOGS\u003cbr\u003eKICKERS #2: FAKE OUT\u003cbr\u003eKICKERS #4: GAME-DAY JITTERSRich Wallace is the acclaimed author of many books for young readers, including \u003ci\u003eSports Camp;\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003ePerpetual Check;\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eWrestling Sturbridge,\u003c\/i\u003e an ALA-YALSA Best of the Best Book for Young Adults; \u003ci\u003eShots on Goal,\u003c\/i\u003e a \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e Top 10 Youth Sports Book; and the Winning Season series. He coached soccer for several years, beginning when his older son joined a team in kindergarten.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRich Wallace lives in New Hampshire with his wife, author Sandra Neil Wallace. You can visit him on the Web at www.richwallacebooks.com.Ben stared at his quiz paper, trying to remember the capital of Pennsylvania. He knew that it wasn't Pittsburgh. Was it Scranton?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe glanced across the aisle at his best friend Erin's paper, but she hadn't reached that question yet. So he tried to see all the way across the next aisle to Loop's.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Ben!\" his teacher said sharply. \"Keep your eyes on your own paper.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen looked down. He didn't want to cheat. He just wondered if anyone else was struggling the way he was.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe last state on the list was New York. He wrote Albany in the space. He was sure he had eight of the ten capitals right, but he'd left Maine blank. Was it Portland? Or was that the capital of Oregon? He just couldn't concentrate this morning.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt recess, Ben kept to himself instead of joining his usual game of four square. He hadn't had enough sleep last night. His parents had been arguing about something until nearly midnight.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMom and Dad had been very quiet at breakfast this morning. Ben could tell that something was wrong.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo he took a seat on a swing and slowly moved back and forth, staring into space and thinking. Usually he'd be running and jumping and burning off energy with the other fourth graders. But right now, he had no energy at all.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA red ball was rolling quickly past. Ben stopped the swing and put his foot on it. When he looked up, Loop was running toward him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen picked up the ball and tossed it to Loop, who grabbed it with one hand and bounced it. \"What are you doing over here?\" Loop asked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen shrugged. \"Just thinking.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoop took a step closer and leaned toward Ben. \"Eyes on your own paper!\" he said, imitating the teacher.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen frowned. \"Very funny.\" He and Loop were friends but rivals. They competed hard against each other in sports and games.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I thought you were the perfect student,\" Loop said. \"What did you do, forget to study?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I studied. I was distracted this morning.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Still thinking about that beating we gave your team a few weeks ago?\" Loop said with a laugh.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Maybe I'm thinking about the beating you'll be getting if you don't shut up.\" Ben made a fist and held it up.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoop raised both hands as if to surrender, but he had a big grin. \"Look how scared I am,\" he said. \"I'm shaking.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Get lost,\" Ben said. He pumped his legs hard to get the swing moving again.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoop went back to the four-square game. Ben kept swinging. The October sun was warm on his bare arms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt was true that Loop's team had shut out Ben's team in a Kickers League soccer game. Ben was still sore about it, but that wasn't the trouble today. Besides, Ben's team had won its most recent game and was in the chase for a spot in the play-offs. It looked as if the Bobcats would get in if they won two of their last three games.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Ben!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen looked up. Loop was waving him over to the four-square game. \"We need you,\" he called.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen could see his classmate Nigel sitting on the ground with his head back, pressing on his nose. There was blood seeping through his fingers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"What happened?\" Ben asked as he walked over.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Nigel took a whack in the nose,\" Loop said. \"We need another player.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA teacher came over and helped Nigel to his feet, then led him toward the school. There were drops of blood on the front of Nigel's shirt.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Did he get hit with the ball?\" Ben asked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoop shook his head. \"The ball was on the line and he and Mark both dived for it.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen looked at Mark. Mark frowned and rubbed the top of his head.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Okay, so what square am I in?\" Ben asked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"First, of course,\" Loop said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen didn't feel like playing, but they needed at least four for a game, so he stepped in. Then he noticed Erin walking over, so now there would be five players.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen Ben looked back, the ball was already coming toward him. He lunged for it, but it bounced in his square and went out-of-bounds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I wasn't ready for that,\" Ben said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Too bad,\" Loop said. \"You were at the square.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I was here for about half a second!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Doesn't matter. If you're at the square, you're ready.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen stood still with his mouth hanging open. Then he gave Loop a hard look and stepped to the side of the court. Erin replaced Ben in the first square.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat was no fun, Ben thought, folding his arms. I might as well go back to the swings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut with only five players, he'd be back in the game as soon as this round ended. First chance he had, he'd get back at Loop.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMark muffed an easy shot and stepped off the court with a sheepish smile. Erin moved up one square and Ben came back in.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe ball moved quickly around the court. Ben knocked it into Erin's square, then returned a volley from Jordan. He was biding his time, waiting for the perfect chance to smack that ball hard into Loop's square.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere it came. Jordan hit the ball softly and it bounced straight up in front of Ben. Ben whipped the side of his hand into the middle of the ball, chopping it on a line drive at Loop. The ball dipped and just barely caught the inside of the square, then bounced across the playground.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You're out!\" Ben said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoop was jogging after the ball, but he turned his head and said, \"No way.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Yes way.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"No slams allowed,\" Loop said. \"You know the rules.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"That wasn't a slam,\" Ben said. \"A slam has to bounce higher than your shoulder.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"It did.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"No, it didn't!\" Ben took several quick steps to come face to face with Loop. \"You're out,\" he said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You're out.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Quit being a baby,\" Ben said, giving Loop a shove.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoop shoved back harder.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen was in no mood for talking. He took a swing at Loop, hitting him in the shoulder. Loop swung back but Ben ducked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHead down, Ben wrapped his arms around Loop and tackled him to the pavement. Immediately they were circled by dozens of kids, all yelling at once.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoop rolled on top of Ben, but Ben dug in with his heels and flipped Loop off of him. Two teachers pushed through the crowd. Mr. Kane grabbed Ben by the shoulders and pulled him away, yelling, \"Stop it this instant!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen shook free and glared at Loop. Loop glared back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"That was a clean shot,\" Ben said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"What was? The slam or the punch?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMr. Kane stepped between them. \"Enough!\" he said. \"Both of you start marching. Right to Mrs. Nolan's office. Now!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe principal's office. Ben shut his eyes and scowled. Then he looked down and saw that his pants were ripped below the right knee. His arm was scraped from the pavement.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoop was scratched up, too.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMr. Kane followed them to the office. Ben and Loop sat across from each other in folding chairs. They had to wait a long time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhenever Ben looked up, Loop was staring at him. Loop mouthed the word \"jerk\" several times and rubbed a fist into his palm when the secretary wasn't looking. Ben wasn't scared, but he was still angry.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen they finally got into the principal's office, she said, \"It seems that there's been a lot of tension over four square lately.\" She looked directly at Ben. \"A lot of it has involved you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen nodded.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Why is that?\" she asked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen jutted his thumb at Loop. \"He said I slammed the ball when I didn't.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"That's not what I care about,\" Mrs. Nolan said. \"I've had several reports of arguments, and now this fight. I don't expect that from nine-year-olds. A game isn't worth that kind of distress.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen looked at the floor and chewed on his lip. Mrs. Nolan told them they'd be staying in for recess for the rest of the week, and there'd be no four square for either of them for another week after that.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Now both of you go wash up and get back to class,\" she said. \"Can I trust you to get along?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Yes, ma'am,\" Loop said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Yes,\" said Ben.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoop walked ahead of Ben along the hallway. He stepped into the bathroom and let the door swing back at Ben. Ben caught it with his scraped-up arm and winced.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere were four sinks. Ben stood at the one farthest from Loop and pushed the soap dispenser, then carefully lathered his arm. He looked into the mirror to see what Loop was up to, but Loop was looking down at the sink.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoop finished washing and shook his hands rapidly. Then he cleared his throat and pulled some paper towels out of the dispenser. As he dried his hands, he leaned toward the mirror to inspect a tiny cut below his eye. \"Maybe that wasn't quite a slam,\" he said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen patted his own scrape with a paper towel. \"Yeah, well, maybe I should have been ready for that first serve.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Then again,\" Loop said, \"it probably was a slam. Otherwise I would have returned it.\" He turned to Ben and grinned. Then he threw the wad of wet paper towels at him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen caught the wad and threw it back. It thumped against a metal trash can and fell to the floor.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Now that was a slam,\" Loop said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBen laughed. \"What are we supposed to do all week with no recess? I'll go nuts just sitting in the classroom.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Me too,\" Loop said. \"Three days of that.\" He shook his head. \"That's what I call distress.\"","brand":"Yearling","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44885481980133,"sku":"NP9780375850943","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780375850943.jpg?v=1767730697","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/kickers-3-benched-isbn-9780375850943","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}