Charles was the best player in the boys’ football team.
Charlotte was the best player in the girls’ side.
But this season they’re both playing in the SAME mixed team
Is there room for TWO Champion Charlies in the ONE side?
Adrian Beck has combined his cheeky brand of humour with his love of football (soccer) to create a fun sport series that celebrates the world game of football.
The Mix-Up is the first book in The Champion Charlies series.
Charlotte Alessi and Charles ‘CJ’ Jackson are talented football players at the Jets Football Club. Charlotte is ultra organised, has a no-nonsense ponytail and is smart. CJ is a risk-taking daredevil who doesn't like to follow rules and is not always smart which we quickly learn when he attempts a kamikaze rescue mission of a football stuck in a tree in the opening chapter. These two total opposites will need to find a way to work together in a mixed football team if they want to continue playing their beloved football.
CJ and Charlotte both have qualities that would make them a good team captain. CJ desperately wants to be the Jets' captain and gets himself into all sorts of trouble as he tries to win over teammates and puts his friendship with his mate Benji at risk. CJ and Charlotte finally overcome their rivalry at a Matilda's game when they hear striker, Sam Kerr explain the key to the Matildas' success “We just pull together, try to use everyone’s skills and face every challenge as a team.”
There's lots of football action in the final chapters as the Jets try to bond as a team to beat their arch rivals, the Hillside Hammersmiths. Watch for a clever tweak to the Jets' tactics (courtesy of The Dancing Dads) in the second half. Which team will win and who will be named the new captain of the Jets?
One of my favourite characters is Mr Hyants, otherwise known as High Pants. He is named as the new coach even though he has never coached before. After reading a sports blog about inspirational music, High Pants (who always wanted to be a pop star) coaches the team by singing karaoke from the sidelines with songs to motivate them. Imagine hearing ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ when you're doing goal kicking practice or ‘Shake it Off!’ when you fall over! It's a very unique way of coaching!
Top Five Reasons to read the The Mix-Up
It's fun
You can read about sport
There are fun facts about football
You'll know how to do the 4-2-2 formation (I do now!)
You might want a karaoke coach
Try the first chapter of The Mix-Up! HERE
The second book Boot It is also available and the next two books in the series will be published in September.
Writing workshop with Adrian Beck at The Little Bookroom
Tuesday, July 10th
This workshop is for 7-12 year-olds during the school holidays. Each ticket includes a copy of the book The Champion Charlies: The Mix-Up which will be available to collect at the workshop.
You can book your place HERE I guarantee it will be fun writing with Adrian!
Happy reading and playing soccer!
