The Wild Soccer Bunch

The Wild Soccer Bunch

Author	Joachim Masannek
Language	English
Series	The Wild Soccer Bunch
Genre	Children's Book
Publisher	Solebooks
Publication date	2010
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (Hardcover, Paperback)

The Wild Soccer Bunch is a series of fourteen children's novels written by the German author Joachim Masannek, who was inspired to write the series during his years as a youth soccer coach in Germany. The books, originally written in German and published under the title Die Wilden Fußballkerle, chronicle the adventures of a fictionalized soccer team called The Wild Soccer Bunch. The books are illustrated by Jan Birck. The logo of the Wild Soccer Bunch is inspired by the original logo created by Masannek children for the real Wild Soccer Bunch.

Since the first book was published in 2002, the series became an instant hit in the German speaking countries and around the world.

In the English translation, The Wild Soccer Bunch takes place in a small neighborhood in Chicago. The team is made up of a cast of colorful characters, each of them bonded by their passion for the game of soccer. The Wild Soccer Bunch supports values such as diversity, sportsmanship, and self-acceptance, and has been officially endorsed by the MLS and US soccer star Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Wild Soccer Bunch is united by the slogan “everything’s cool, as long as you’re wild!" In fact, the team plays their beloved game according to five unbreakable rules: 1. Be Wild! 2. Everything’s cool, as long as you’re wild! 3. Never, ever give up! 4. One for all and all for one! 5. Once Wild, always wild!

International success

Since the release of The Wild Soccer Bunch, the books have gained immense popularity and commercial success worldwide. To date, fourteen Wild Soccer Bunch books have been published in 30 countries and sold over 9 million copies. Five live-action feature films have been produced, generating ten million box office admissions in German speaking territories alone.

Book #1, Kevin the Star Striker

In Book #1, Kevin the Star Striker, the team returns to their field, only to find their rivals Mickey the Bulldozer and the Unbeatables have taken over. Kevin and his teammates challenge these hooligans to the biggest game of their lives. Can The Wild Soccer Bunch defeat the Unbeatables, or will they lose their field of dreams forever?

Kevin the Star Striker hard cover edition was released in the US and Canada on May 20, 2010 by Sole Books. The book includes a message to the reader by Landon Donovan just before the US soccer star participated in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Book #2, Diego the Tornado

In Book #2, Diego the Tornado, Fabio, the son of a famous Brazilian soccer player, joins the Wild Soccer Bunch. But Fabio’s father has other plans. He makes his son to play for the Furies, the best Youth Club Team in Chicago. The Wild Soccer Bunch is devastated, but Diego has a plan. Turn The Wild Soccer Bunch into a Club Team! Now the real test: challenge the Furies to a game. Can their friendship survive the challenge? Can the Wild Soccer Bunch survive the game?

The Wild Soccer Bunch Book 2, Diego the Tornado was released in a hard cover edition in the US and Canada on March 30, 2011 by Sole Books. The novel includes a message to the reader from US soccer star Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Book #3, Zoe the Fearless

In Book #3, Zoe the Fearless, Zoe Burns is a total soccer fan: she won’t wear anything but soccer gear,and she wants to be the first female to ever play on the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team. Her girl soccer team is okay, but she knows she’ll never win with them. And so, when her father moves them to a new town, he signs her up with a boys’ team – the Wild Soccer Bunch. And they are not thrilled – a girl on their team?! Never! In their first practice the boys hog the ball, and when they finally pass it to her, they blow her away – literally. But the boys underestimate her because Zoe the Fearless never gives up.

The Wild Soccer Bunch takes over the world!

The Wild Soccer Bunch Book 3, Zoe the Fearless will be released in a hard cover edition in the US and Canada in December, 2011 by Sole Books. The novel includes a special message to the reader from Landon Donovan, star of the 2011 MLS Cup champions, The Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Author - Joachim Masannek

Joachim Masannek studied Philosophy and German Studies at the University of Television and Film Munich.

He received awards for In Liebe, Catherine (In Love, Catherine), and Der Pampelmusenmod (The Grapefruit Moon), films that he produced as a student. After completing his studies, Masannek worked as a cameraman, screenwriter and director for film, television, and studio productions.

Joachim Masannek was the coach of a kids' soccer team, which inspired his creation of The Wild Soccer Bunch. His mission is to encourage children worldwide to live by values they learn by playing the game of soccer: courage, teamwork, and friendship. He presently lives in Munich with his sons, Leon and Marlon.

The Illustrator - Jan Birck

Jan Birck began his career as a freelance illustrator in an atelier in Munich, working for renown advertising agencies (name two of them). During this time, he and his wife launched Dreamotion Media, a company that develops books, films, and DVDs. Birck has earned his reputation as one of the world's finest illustrators of children's books, with drawings that have appeared in hundreds of publications. He presently lives in Munich with his wife and sons, Timo and Finn.

External links

• The Wild Soccer Bunch - English Official Website