UK Soccer Novel Phenomenon Arrives in America
Bestselling UK author D.C. Freedman and US Soccer Legend Brad Friedel are both at the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore this week to mark the Official US release of the hit kids’ soccer novels: The Jamie Johnson Series. With 2 million Jamie Johnson fans in the UK and a BBC drama currently being filmed, the phenomenon is now here in the States.
“The stories are about growing up, overcoming obstacles and going for your dreams,” says author, Freedman, who, before becoming an author, was a top soccer journalist travelling to two World Cups with the England Team, interviewing the likes of Ronaldo, Beckham and Messi along the way. “The stories are very true-to-life. Bullying at school and parental separation are two themes that consistently recur and then, right in the middle, you have this magical soccer player. The trick of the books is that readers both believe they ARE Jamie Johnson and want TO BE him. With soccer booming in the States right now, I’m really excited to see what the kids over here make of Jamie and his story.”
“This is unlike any other book series in the world,” says US Soccer legend Friedel. “I love the stories because they are about so much more than soccer. They are about life. My kids love them too. After they had read the first book, they came to me demanding to know what happened next!”
Over the last eight years, Freedman has visited over 1000 schools, talking to soccer-mad kids about reading, writing, growing up and the beautiful game. He also uses his unique set of soccer contacts to ensure that the stories are authentic and contain top insider tips to help the readers improve their own skills.
