The Academy II: The Journey Continues (The Academy Series)

"The Academy II: The Journey Continues" by T.Z. Layton is an absolute page-turner and a worthy sequel to the first book. My son, who is a soccer enthusiast, was captivated by the journey of Leo K. Doyle, a small-town kid from Ohio, as he navigates the challenges of a Premier League youth squad. Despite being on the underperforming U14 Lewisham Knights, Leo's unwavering determination and passion for soccer shine through. This book beautifully portrays Leo's struggles, not just on the field but also in his personal life - balancing schoolwork, making new friends in a foreign country, and dealing with a tough coach. The way Leo juggles these challenges while trying to save his team and pursue his dream of becoming a professional player is inspiring. What makes this sequel stand out is its ability to maintain suspense and excitement while exploring deeper themes like teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of believing in oneself. It’s a must-read for young sports fans, and I found it to be a fantastic way to engage with my son about following dreams and overcoming obstacles. Highly recommended for its engaging narrative and meaningful lessons.

I have been reading the Academy series with my 8-year old son, and we have both loved following Leo's story. The characters were fun to get to know, the competition was entertaining, and the growth Leo experiences along the way prompted numerous conversations with my son. We also personally connected with Leo's emotions related to the anniversary of the death of his mother to cancer. I was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple years ago and just finished my cancer treatments less than a year ago, so my son could connect to Leo and his loss--and reading this part of the story was an unexpected but cathartic experience for us. We cried together and grieved for Leo, but we also were keenly reminded how blessed we are that I am a survivor. We can't wait to start the next book in the series.

My son loves this series! We can’t wait for the next book to come out.

Loved the book! Kids who don't normally like to read love this book

Este libro está Excelente mi hijo y yo lo disfrutamos muchísimo, esperamos Pronto tener la parte 3. Cada noche era emocionante esperar que pasaría.

I want to call it a slam dunk but this 3 part series is more appropriately applauded as a hat trick! We are through the first 2 books and my 8/9 & 10/11 y.o.s have hung on every word. It has been a really great experience to share with them. There is a lot of detailed (and sometimes) technical description of plays throughout which my footballers ate it up but might be dry if you aren't passionate about the game. But the characters and storyline will keep you reading regardless. Sometimes I would pause and re-read trying to imagine each interaction in a play and my boys would get impatient and just takeover reading where I left off, their imaginations steps ahead of mine. With such an army of young footballers/readers in most countries around the world Layton has nailed a gap in the market. Now if he could only churn them out every month or call on his literary friends to join him in youth soccer fiction. We need more of this great writing to keep these footballers reading!

We enjoyed both books (Academy I & II) very much. The author is super talented and writes exceptionally well. He developed such relatable characters and the play-by-plays of the games were so exciting. We read it out loud to the whole family (we range from 10 yrs old to 73 yrs old) and we all got invested in the lives of the characters. We even cheered out loud when the team would win! And groaned in disappointment when the lost. It is very engaging, interesting, fun, and has some really good wisdom and great life lessons. No matter the age, everyone will enjoy it. You don’t have to even like soccer (but it’s a bonus if you do!)

After first book my son asked to get him second one of the series. Here is his review: The Academy II “Okay, so The Academy II even better than the first! T.Z. Layton really built up this one. Leo is back, and you can see how much he’s grown—not just as a player but as a leader. The stakes feel so much higher in this book, and the soccer matches are intense. Like, I could practically hear the crowd and feel the tension during those big moments. What really hit me was how much heart the story has. It’s not just about winning games; it’s about loyalty, teamwork, and resilience. Plus, the new characters and team dynamics bring a fresh energy to the series. If you liked The Academy I, you’re gonna love this sequel. It’s fast-paced, emotional, and just an all-around great read. Highly recommend it!”