- Chapter Books
- Ages 9–13
- Sport
The Academy VI: Rise of the Scorpions
Book 6 of 6 in The AcademyView the full series
Now in the U16 division and starting high school, Leo faces a dangerous new rival team and an unexpected tragedy that threatens the whole season. A grittier, growing-up instalment of the bestselling football series.
- Best for9–13
- FormatChapter
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
Tone
- Exciting
- Inspirational
- Adventurous
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Leo Doyle is growing up. Stepping up to the U16 division and starting high school, he's juggling harder football, new responsibilities and even the unfamiliar territory of a first romance. But this season brings its darkest challenge yet: a ruthless new rival team, the Southwark Scorpions, and a tragedy that threatens to derail everything Leo and his teammates have worked for. To keep the team's dreams alive, Leo will need to grow up fast, hold his side together and prove he has what it takes when the pressure is greatest. The sixth book in the New York Times bestselling Academy series pushes its hero into older, tougher territory, with faster football, higher stakes and real emotional weight. Fast-paced and full of heart, it's a rousing next step for the young fans who have followed Leo from small-town Ohio to the edge of the professional game.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Pitched slightly older, at 9–13s reading independently, as the hero starts high school. Faster football and more emotional weight than the earlier books, but still built around short, propulsive chapters for reluctant readers.
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- Best fit · 9–13
- Read aloud · 9–12
- Independent · 9–13
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
None
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Workable
Works well for
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
3 / 5 · Mostly fine
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Football fans
- Sports stories
- Reluctant readers
- Underdog stories
Avoid if
- No interest in sport
Particularly good for children who are…
- Reluctant reader
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Leo's growing up — new division, high school, even a first crush — and facing a dangerous rival team plus a shock that threatens the whole season. It's the grittiest, most grown-up Academy book yet, and you'll race to see if Leo can keep the dream alive.
- Proving yourself
- The underdog winning
- Making a difference
- Friendship and belonging
Why parents love it
The series matures with its readers — high school, first romance and real emotional weight sit alongside the trademark fast football and short, gripping chapters. A satisfying step up for older fans who started the series younger.
- Conversation starter
In the series
The Academy.
6 books · open the series →
About the author
T.Z. Layton.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
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Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
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