South Orange River (S.O.R) Middle School has a glorious athletic reputation. Every student is expected to be a part of some team. But disaster strikes when a bunch of academic overachievers (aka geeks) manage to escape sixth grade without as much as setting foot inside a locker room. School authorities lower the boom and mandate the creation of a special soccer team for the delinquents, coached by the history teacher, who is as much at sea with the sport as the team itself. The season, although peppered by loss after spectacular loss, nevertheless does bring unexpected redemption in the end.
In S.O.R. Losers, a light and good-humored satire, Avi talks about the importance our society attaches on athletic achievements. As one of the ill-fated eleven ponders, "How come sports is so important?"
Avi has been on my "authors to read" list for the longest of times. So, it was with mixed feelings that I started reading my first book by him. First impressions usually being the last impressions, I terribly wanted to not be disappointed. But, I really had nothing to worry about. Avi is just as good as advertised.
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Age: 12+
