The Academy Series

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(6 reviews)

If you love football and are aged 8+, this middle-grade sports adventure series written by T. Z. Layton may just be perfect for you!

Leo K. Doyle lives a quiet life in a small US town, with little experience beyond his love for football. Everything changes when a talent scout spots his skills and offers him the chance of a lifetime — a try-out for a Premier League youth squad, the Academy. But the path to success won’t be easy. Leo must overcome bullies, confront his biggest fears, and juggle schoolwork while proving he has what it takes to earn his place on the team

We love this series because it's got even the most reluctant of our readers into books, with lots of action scenes, football matches and a lovable cast of characters. Even we want to join the Academy!

If you enjoyed the Football School and Ultimate Football Heroes series, you're sure to enjoy The Academy. If you'd like to read more books like this, do check out our blog post on the The Best Football Books for Kids.

All The Academy books in order:

Book 1: The AcademyA Fun-Filled Football Adventures (2025)
Book 2: The Academy II: The Journey Continues (2025)
Book 3: The Academy III: Tournamount of Champions (January 2026)
Book 4: The Academy IV: Tital Fight (January 2026)
Book 5: The Academy V: Cup of Nations (March 2026)
Book 6: The Academy VI: Rise of the Scorpions (May 2026)

Book 1
Book 1

The Academy: A Fun-Filled Football Adventure (The Academy Series Book 1)

FROM THE PLAYGROUND TO THE PREMIER LEAGUEBorn and raised in a small town in the United States, Leo K. Doyle has never se... MoreThe Academy: A Fun-Filled Football Adventure (The Academy Series Book 1)

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