I got this book as an Early Reviewer for Library Thing. This is the review I wrote for Library Thing.
Diego the Tornado is the second in The Wild Soccer Bunch series being penned by Joachim Masannek. It follows a group of nine- and ten-year old boys, and one younger brother who played the hero in the previous book, Kevin the Star Striker. In the rough way of boys, they have bonded their personalities through the fun of play and the dream of soccer stardom into a single unit. They are coached by Larry, whose soccer talent, bad leg and income sources are never explained, at least in this story.
Things get shaken up when Fabio, the son of a great Brazilian soccer player moves enrolls in their school and quickly finds his place in their group. Unfortunately, his father insists he play for a better team, and pride and injured feelings abruptly put a wide gulf between The Wild Soccer Bunch and their almost best friend Fabio. The boys, from widely disparate backgrounds, must decide what kind of team they want to be and what it means to be the best soccer team in the world.
The Wild Soccer Bunch is translated from German, but the setting has been relocated to Chicago and several members of the U.S. National Team make cameo appearances so our young readers will not experience any culture shock. Diego the Tornado is about as totally a boy’s book as you can find. Besides the almost total absence of female characters, the soccer in it is played out left foot, right foot, tap, header, spin, volley and so on. My elementary boys should love it. It’s how they try to present their own exploits after every recess.
