THE ROAD TO THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR CUP

by Andrew Luke

The World Cup started more than 80 years ago as a 13-team event that had to beg for teams to play. Today, it is the most popular sporting event on the planet, and almost every country in the world plays for its chance to participate every four years. History of the Cup takes readers through the struggles of the early years and describes the players and the matches that brought the tournament, and the sport, to greatness. From the Maracanazo to the Game of the Century, all the best moments are here. Every book in The Road to the World’s Most Popular Cup series provides an in-depth look at the biggest event in your favorite sport and what it takes for the athletes and their teams to get there. Each title in this series includes original infographics, a “Getting Oriented with the Terms” section to educate readers on terms that will be used throughout the series relating to soccer, color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in soccer history via a video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Andrew Luke

Brazil has raised the Cup as champions five times and has never failed to qualify to play in the tournament that determines the soccer world’s best. It is not as easy as the Brazilians make it look, however. On the opposite end of the global soccer field are dozens of teams that have never qualified. Just making it to the tournament would be a huge success for these countries. Making the Final 32 shows you what it takes to be included among the 32 teams that earn the right to play for the sport’s biggest prize. From the first qualifying matches in the South Pacific to the playoffs for the final spots, Making the Final 32 has it all. Plus, learn about how the world’s biggest sporting event is getting even bigger. Every book in The Road to the World’s Most Popular Cup series provides an in-depth look at the biggest event in your favorite sport and what it takes for the athletes and their teams to get there. Each title in this series includes original infographics, a “Getting Oriented with the Terms” section to educate readers on terms that will be used throughout the series relating to soccer, color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in soccer history via a video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Andrew Luke

In 2017, Team USA failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup for the first time since 1986. While this setback has forced US Soccer to reevaluate the United States Men’s National Team program, as a country the United States has continued to embrace the sport of soccer. Youth coaching and development standards are continuously improving, and on the professional level, play on the field has never been better as Major League Soccer is thriving, and Americans are succeeding beyond our borders as well. Team USA explores the history of the struggle to make soccer popular in America, the ups and downs those struggles meant on the world stage, and the triumphs of the stars that fought that struggle. From Christian Pulisic to DeAndre Yedlin, get a close-up look at the stars of tomorrow, as Team USA begins the journey to the next World Cup. Every book in The Road to the World’s Most Popular Cup series provides an in depth look at the biggest event in your favorite sport and what it takes for the athletes and their teams to get there. Each title in this series includes original infographics, a “Getting Oriented with the Terms” section to educate readers on terms that will be used throughout the series relating to soccer, color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in soccer history via a video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Andrew Luke

More than 200 countries in the world have national soccer teams. History has shown, however, that when it comes to playing for soccer’s ultimate prize, all countries are not created equal. Every four years, the world’s teams come together to see which will lift the gold trophy as the world’s best, and inevitably, the same teams rise to the top. Top Teams takes a close-up look at the teams that perform best when the Cup is on the line. There is Messi and Argentina, Neuer and Germany, and Neymar and Brazil, among others. Top Teams has all the favorites, plus a look at teams that could surprise everyone. Every book in The Road to the World’s Most Popular Cup series provides an in-depth look at the biggest event in your favorite sport and what it takes for the athletes and their teams to get there. Each title in this series includes original infographics, a “Getting Oriented with the Terms” section to educate readers on terms that will be used throughout the series relating to soccer, color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in soccer history via a video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Andrew Luke

Every four years, the biggest stars in soccer play for the chance to shine on the largest stage in the sport. Club team rivalries melt away when the world’s best players pull on their national colors to battle for the right to represent their country and go for the Cup. World Stars examines the best of the best players in the sport and highlights the stars you should be watching when the battle for the Cup begins. From Ronaldo to Messi and Neuer to Neymar, World Stars covers all of today’s soccer greats. Every book in The Road to the World’s Most Popular Cup series provides an in-depth look at the biggest event in your favorite sport and what it takes for the athletes and their teams to get there. Each title in this series includes original infographics, a “Getting Oriented with the Terms” section to educate readers on terms that will be used throughout the series relating to soccer, color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in soccer history via a video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.