The Dream Team: Jaz Santos vs. the World Paperback – May 27, 2021

A delightful story of a young girl who just wants to play soccer (football to the rest of the world) and to keep her parents together. The school won't provide money or a coach for a girls' football team, so Jaz convinces a group of friends to join her and raise the money themselves. Jaz is a spunky, lovable heroine, who sometimes gets in trouble, but always has the best intentions. She wants to play in a football tournament and hopes it will bring her mother back home. Wonderful dialogue, great characterizations, and an absorbing plot. Funny, realistic, and full of heart. Kids will adore this. And it's the first in a series!

I may live an ocean away from where Jaz's story takes place, and we may call it soccer here instead of football, but there are universal themes that cross borders. Themes like forging friendships, facing bullies, having family troubles, and dreaming big--Jaz Santos vs the World has all those and in such an accessible way. You don't need to be a soccer(football) player or even know much about the sport to enjoy this story!Jaz gets into trouble sometimes, but she can't always help it. She loves to daydream. She's a very likeable character in my opinion, with a sincere and determined heart. The six other girls she recruits for her soccer/football team are unique, all with their own ways of handling things. Readers are sure to find parts of themselves in one or more of the teammates. I did! The team wants to enter a girls tournament but is up against sports misogyny in their own school, difficult teachers, and no initial funding. They also have to learn how to play as an actual team before they can think of playing well at the tournament. The girls pull together, with all their different ways of looking at life, and start to believe that they're worthy of winning.In the midst of this, I loved the way Jaz's family life was handled. Many kids have Jaz's experience of two parents who love their kids but don't always get along. It will surely encourage children that they don't need to blame themselves for their parents' disagreements.The food in this story made me drool. Maybe I'm just too into food. Haha! I had to immediately Google Muamba de Galinha after reading about it. And I want it. And the fruit pizzas!! OMG. Inspired to make those. And I will definitely be making the cake recipe at the back of the book.I would confidently hand this story off to any child to read! I think they'd love how Jaz sees and reacts to her world, and would find themselves represented in one or more of the characters.

Wonderfully funny, wry and determined, Jaz just can't seem to find her place in the world. With her parent's constant arguments and several of her teachers endlessly irritated by Jaz's enthusiastic and sometimes untamed nature, she's having a rough year. But Jaz knows herself well enough to know that she wants, and she's determined and clever enough to push past the NOs and a system that's intent on maintaining the out-dated and incredibly sexist norms to go out and get what she wants: a girl's 7-on-7 soccer club. And even more than that: a championship team!Jaz builds herself a team that starts out a bit rough around the edges with the intention of shooting for the stars. And shoot she does!This wonderful story is for all the kids who have adults in their lives who are set on stopping them, on holding up out-dated norms, than encouraging bravery and daring.

This story has left a lasting effect on me. Though it's a middle grade book it deals with issues like fear, anxiety and rejection in ways that speaks even to adult audiences. I truly believe this is an impactful book that children everywhere should read! Jaz's story is universal, deeply layered and extremely thought provoking. The author strikes a brilliant balance between lighthearted scenes and heavy hitting moments, perhaps that why the story feels so real. This is the strength of the book. That and its loveable characters.The thing that stayed with me is the fact that the story doesn't just bring into focus the universal issues mentioned earlier (fear, anxiety, rejection) but brings forth a certain level of mindfulness that children can understand and adults can sit and reflect on.Priscilla Mante's way of saying so much in what is left unsaid is the strength of this book. The use of imagery and poetically emotive language is what makes the world-building so vivid and real.I felt real nostalgia reading Jas Santos Vs the World. As someone who grew up reading the Babysitters club, the Sleepover Club and the Cafe Club books I am over the moon the next generation now has the Dream Team! I for-see a Netflix adaption!!I didn't know much about football nor have I watched much outside of the world cup and the Euros but but that might change now. I can't wait for the next chapter!

“Nothing I planned ever turned out the way it was supposed to. As usual, it was me, Jaz Santos vs. the World.”This is Jasmina Santos-Campbell’s story as she deals with everything life throws at her. Whether that be lies from school mates getting her banned from playing football (her favourite thing in the world), teachers and boys who thought the boys team was more important than her girls team, or her parents splitting up at home. And all the while Jaz blames herself.But at least she had football. “Football made everything better. The excitement when my feet made contact with the ball to dribble or kick, the spark that shot through me as I ran down the wings, and the pride when the ball rolled past the posts.”Spotting a flyer in a library for a Brighton Girls Under-11s Seven-a-Side Football Tournament she forms a team, Bramrock Stars, which is her escape really. “The whole plan sounded a bit daft. Even to me, and it had been my idea. Why would six girls, none of whom were football-mad like me, agree to be in a team that didn’t exist yet?” The Dream Team is formed.Also by the end of the book Jaz is facing up to her fears and realising that when things go wrong around her, it isn’t her fault.There are quite a few characters in the book, which makes it hard to get to grips with them all, but they’ll be more-fully explored in other books in “The Dream Team” series. Overall the book has a nice story to it whilst also tackling or touching upon a few tough issues: bullying, sexism and parents splitting. 4 stars for the Bramrock Stars.⭐⭐⭐⭐

One of the most heartwarming books I have read for ages. I loved this uplifting story about a girl realising her football dreams. There is a wonderful light touch to the writing that makes you bounce along with Jaz and will her into succeeding. I loved all the characters and the realism that was beautifully handled. Yes Jaz faces sexism and doubt, yes it is harder for her because she doesn’t come from a privileged background, but it is her self-belief and sheer determination that propels her to realise her dreams. That’s the fantastic message of this book - it might be harder for you, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it. Fight on people, fight on! Oh and the football stuff was great (as was all the food) - my daughter plays football and I love how it is becoming more mainstream. Girls can do whatever they want to and their stories are just as valuable as boys stories. Rock on Jaz!

My daughter and I loved this book. We read it together and couldn’t wait for the next chapter. A brilliant lead character who fights hard for what she wants and inspires other. Such a fun adventure.

What a brilliant book! A heart warming and empowering story which I thoroughly enjoyed as an adult and have passed onto my younger relatives to now read.Love that this book has recipe at the end and Q&A with the author. Can't wait for the second instalment!