{2026 New Release} World Soccer Kings by: Charles R. Smith Jr. An exuberant collection of poems about soccer stars around the world crackles with Charles R. Smith’s indomitable wordplay, matched by graphic, dynamic photos of the players in action. Mercurial magician Lionel Messi is on a goal-scoring mission. Erling Haaland earns the nickname Striking Viking (Hat trick! / Off the head / GOAL!). Whether the poems in this book are cheering for the Pennsylvania Pelé, Christian Pulisic; Cristiano Ronaldo, with his record-breaking right; or “Blue Blur” Kylian Mbappé, who torches the net with his afterburn blast, Charles R.

An exuberant collection that features poems in different forms about star soccer players from around the world, with extensive backmatter that delves into why each form was chosen for a particular athlete's style of play. #newrelease #WeNeedDiverseBooks #OurStoriesMatter #kidlit #CharlesRSmithJr

My 3rd graders are still talking about this weeks NCTE AARI with #CharlesRSmithJr 2025 Excellence in Children's Poetry Award winner Students loved seeing their questions in the chat and hearing them answered on the screen, & loved seeing books we've read in class, read by the author!