For the very first time in his decades-long career writing for teens, acclaimed and beloved author Walter Dean Myers writes with a teen, Ross Workman. A fan email in 2007 sparked the friendship and collaboration between teen author Ross Workman and New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Walter Dean Myers. Their debut novel is about impulsive decisions, dire consequences, unlikely friendships, second chances, and soccer.

All Kevin cares about is winning the State Cup and proving to his soccer coach that he has more than just star-player potential. Until the night he ends up in jail. Sergeant Brown is the cop assigned to be Kevin’s mentor. If they can learn to trust each other, maybe Kevin’s one mistake won’t land him in juvie.

Ross on Walter:
Walter Dean Myers loves what he does. He is my favorite author, a fantastic writer, and an amazing mentor. He is generous, inspirational, interesting, brilliant, very patient, and extremely wise.

Walter on Ross:
Ross takes writing seriously and was willing to do all the work necessary to make this book happen. I hope he’s a great athlete. I suspect he’s at least a competent student. I know he’s a writer.

Here is the email that started it all:

From: Ross Workman
To: Walter Dean Myers
Subject: Email From a Big Fan
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 10:07 AM
Dear Mr. Myers,
One of the reasons that you’re my favorite author is that your characters seem so real and genuine. This makes you the only author I know of who doesn’t sound like an adult when you’re writing about kids.
Sincerely,
Ross Workman

From: Walter Dean Myers
To: Ross Workman
Subject: Re: Email From a Big Fan
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 2:38 PM
Hey, Ross!
Okay, let’s write a story. 80 pages with alternating voices. I do the first ten, then you do the second, etc.... What do you think?
Walter Dean Myers

Praise for Kick:
“A masterful collaboration about soccer...friendship, and the power of a mentor that will inspire readers of any age.”—Family Circle

“The respective voices and characters play off each other as successfully as a winning, high-stakes soccer match. How about another collaboration?”—ALA Booklist

“With Myers, there are always many layers beneath the surface of the story, and this is no exception.... Workman offers a fresh voice as Kevin and more than holds his own as a writer, writing alongside an icon of young adult literature.”—VOYA

“An involving blend of mystery and sports, ably delivered in two convincing voices.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books