Knockout by Michael Wagner

Ill. by Terry Denton. Maxx Rumble Soccer series bk 1. Black Dog Books, 2014. ISBN 9781922244802.
For readers from 7-9 years. Knockout is the first book in the three part Maxx Rumble Soccer series. Rexxy, Maxx's younger brother is now old enough to play for the Stone Valley Saints Soccer team in the knockout competition. In their first game they are up against the Kreepy Crawlies. Maxx is team captain who leads his team in their play fair chant. Of course the opposition replies with a taunt and the game is on. After Rexxy is knocked out he returns to play with his good luck charm Trevor his teddy. The Saints utilise a secret weapon, a force of nature - Peli the pelican who helps their team to victory.
Michael Wagner's sense of humour show as the players are named after famous people like - Cleo Patra, Benny Franklin. The action-packed descriptions of the game and the use of different font sizes make this another exciting chapter book for emergent readers and soccer fans. Terry Denton's fun cartoons capture the key moments of the match.
Rhyllis Bignell