Sixth grader Cassaty Greene loves soccer. Her favorite player on the Texas Baron’s Creek High School team is Katey Korey who she adores. It’s been an exciting year watching Katey lead them toward a possible state title. Some day Cassaty hopes she too will be playing High School soccer.
Things aren’t perfect at home for Cassaty. Soon it will be the anniversary of her twin brother’s death, who died as a baby. Cassaty mistakenly blames herself for the loss. Mother especially falls into deep depression every time the anniversary occurs while an older sister and dad deal with it in their own way.
But hold on! Katey Korey becomes a much more important part of the plot because she suddenly disappears. Some think she ran away with her boy friend or was kidnapped. The police investigate but find no clues that help. The playoffs are set to begin and now the star midfielder is mysteriously absent. Cassaty decides she will somehow find the missing girl and bring her home in time for the first playoff game. Quite a long shot and she’ll have to break a few family rules to have even a slim chance of her plan working. But if she can it will help Cassaty and her family deal with her brother’s death in a positive way.
THE TWIN STARS AND THE SOCCER SUPERSTAR shows just how hard it is to deal with grief. It’s a superbly written story with Cassaty’s first person narration displaying emotional depth and humor. The cast of characters both young and old are memorable. The mystery and the ending made for a satisfying read. Best for ages 10 and up, the story would also be perfect for a parent or teacher led discussion about the themes in this engaging plot.
BOOK BIRTHDAY: June 9, 2026. PAGES: 256
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kristine Rudolph is a mom of three with two soccer-playing daughters, a left-winger and a defensive back who won her high school state championship in 2024. Kristine splits her time between Atlanta, Georgia, and Austin, Texas. (Author’s website)
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Always in the Middle... 