Touch of the Game

By Joe Beck

Twelve-year-old Milo Reyes isn't the fastest kid on the pitch. He isn't the biggest, either. But he sees the game like no one else.

While other kids run around like wild dogs on the school blacktop, Milo sees the patterns. He knows where the ball is going two seconds before anyone else. But quiet observation doesn't get you picked first at recess, and it certainly doesn't pay for league fees or new soccer cleats.

When a former semi-pro player spots Milo's natural field vision and offers him a shot at the local rec league, Milo gets his first taste of real competition. But at home, money is tight, and his father-exhausted from twelve-hour warehouse shifts-thinks sports are a luxury the family can't afford.

To prove he belongs on the field, Milo will have to master more than just footwork: Trust his vision when the game gets fast and brutal. Overcome self-doubt against bigger, faster club rivals. Show his dad that soccer isn't just a game-it's who he is.

Touch of the Game is an inspiring, action-packed middle-grade sports novel perfect for fans of Kwame Alexander's The Crossover, Mike Lupica, and Jason Reynolds' Track series. Ideal for young readers ages 8-12 who love soccer, perseverance, and triumph over adversity.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HCM5TNZJ
• ISBN13: 9798190065459
• Release Date: July 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 76 Pages
• Weight: 0.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"