In North America we call it soccer, but the rest of the world knows this sport as football. Coming up this summer is the 23rd FIFA World Cup hosted by cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Until then this fast paced mystery is one to enjoy for fans of mystery and an endearing cast of characters.

Sixth grader Diez Espada recently lost his mother to cancer. Time spent with her instilled a love of detective stories and trying out his own developing detective skills in his home town of Miami, Florida. His father is a huge soccer fan and hopes he and his son can share the same passion. Chasing clues seems to be the direction Diez would prefer.

When he and dad are invited to a party to celebrate the upcoming World Cup, the prized trophy is stolen. Now Diez must race to find the trophy and prove he is more than just a nosy kid. Helping him are an older girl which he has a secret crush on and a world famous detective who is there to solve the mystery.

It’s one night of secret tunnels and creating his own suspect list He actually discovers who the guilty person is before anyone else, but time is not on his side to catch this thief before he/she escapes.

Great mysteries like this one will have you guessing and re-guessing along with the main characters. My guess was wrong as the real culprit had quite the cover. Regardless, the story was page turning with Diez’s first person narration. Along the way readers learn about the sport and the world wide adoration of its stars.

THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN WORLD CUP TROPHY has 20 chapters and by book’s end you will be hoping for more detective work by this memorable boy sleuth.

PAGES: 240 BOOK BIRTHDAY: May 5, 2026

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN WORLD CUP TROPHY by Angela Cervantes

1. The dialogue between the characters was a favorite, especially the exchanges between Diez and 8th grader Rio.
2. Diez is still grieving the loss of his mother, but it doesn’t overwhelm the story. It helps that his dad is still supportive. Other books with a parent death often have the remaining parent offering little support to their child as they are deep in their own grief.
3. You don’t have to be a soccer fan to enjoy this plot. Yes, you will learn about the sport and it’s famous past but the real engagement comes from the mystery.
4. The history of the World Cup was fascinating as the cup actually was stolen twice in the past.
5. Yes, kids often see details adults miss as was on displayed here. Diez could become the next great kid detective like those Hardy Boys in the past.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela Cervantes is the award-winning author of popular children’s novels like Lety Out Loud, which was a 2020 Pura Belpré Honor Book. Her other books include The Cursed Moon which won Florida’s Sunshine State Young Readers Award for 2024-2025. Angela’s latest novel, Anomalies 53:Into the Shadows, is the author’s first book in the children’s fantasy genre and is available now. Her upcoming books include a new mystery novel: The Mystery of The Stolen World Cup Trophy which releases May 5, 2026. And book two in the Anomalies 53 book series: Anomalies 53: Dragon Dreams, which releases in July 2026.

Other novels by the author include American Girls’ 2026 Girl of the Year: Raquel Reyes Saves the Wedding; Maritza: Lead with Your Heart (American Girls; 2021); Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring; Gaby, Lost and Found; Allie, First at Last.

In addition to her original novels, Angela authored the junior novelization for Disney/Pixar’s award-winning animated-films, Coco and Encanto.

Angela’s short stories have been featured in Chicken Soup for The Latino Soul and the Young Adult anthology Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America.

Angela is a daughter of a retired elementary-school teacher who instilled in her a love for reading and storytelling. Angela writes from her home in Kansas City. When she’s not writing, Angela enjoys reading, running, gazing up at clouds, and taking advantage of Taco Tuesdays. (To learn more about Angela and her books, please visit her author web site)

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