From the best scorers, defenders, and goalies to the World Cup and everything in between, readers will find soccer’s latest and greatest stats here. Photos that pop and small bites of information make for fun, enjoyable reading for impassioned soccer fans. Browsable text and fast-paced soccer action help to draw in reluctant readers as well as the most dedicated sports enthusiasts. Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, with players and leagues all over. This almanac breaks down the phenomenon with information about the sport, famous players, history, trick move breakdowns, and more. With bright colors and clear organization of content, starting from the basics of leagues to famous players, the book is as appealing to young readers as the game itself. Full-color photos are featured throughout, as well as some cartoon imagery. The volume makes it a point to cover men's and women's teams and champions equally. However, the work ends abruptly, without a cohesive conclusion to this fact-filled read. The text is large and accessible for younger readers and middle school readers alike. VERDICT A solid purchase for elementary and middle school sports nonfiction and ready reference collections.--Molly Dettmann "School Library Journal" Patrick Donnelly is a sportswriter and author who lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He’s written more than 100 books about sports. He also frequently covers Minnesota sports teams for the Associated Press.