Charlie Bumpers is a likable kid with two best friends, Hector and Tommy. In this fifth book of the series, they sign up for soccer and are put on a 4th grade team called the Pirates. The team learns to work together, struggle with losses, and bring it all together to do their best to win. During the season, they have to sell chocolate candy bars for the team. Money mishaps and chocolate appetites cause the boys to come up short at the end of the season. They have to figure out a way to solve the problem, as well as own up to what happened. Teamwork, family support, honesty, and friendship all make this a great feel-good story. My 7 year old son can't wait to read another Charlie Bumpers book! ( )

The Charlie Bumpers series for middle graders is a great series about families helping one another and sticking together. Charlie Bumpers is the middle child in the family with an older brother and younger sister. When Charlie finds out that Hector, Tommy and himself are all on the same soccer team, The Pirates, he has visions of a great soccer season. Unfortunately, they are one of the smallest and youngest teams and do not win as they had planned. Over the course of the season, their coach continues to teach them the skills they need to become better players and encourages them pointing out all their growth and positive moves. This is not quite enough for the boys, they want to win, or at least, not lose. The season is a tough one for the boys and things get worse. When they are supposed to sell chocolate bars, not only do they have a hard time selling them, but they eat several and lose some of the money. While all this is going on, Matt, Charlie's older brother is filming the games. Charlie is upset with Matt and does not want him to use the film for his movie. What Charlie forgets is that Matt usually has his back, they just need to trust him. A great story with lots of fun characters and events, that will teach children about what family is all about. I recommend this book for school, public and class libraries. This is a great series for families to purchase for their children as well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )