raz_ll05_jessicasoccer_clr

Jessica Loves Soccer LELEVEVELELEDDRBEOADOEKR• •L A

A Reading A–Z Level L Leveled Book
Word Count: 508

Visit www.readinga-z.com Written by Joe Slade  •  Illustrated by David Cockcroft

for thousands of books and materials. w w w. readinga-z.com

Written by Joe Slade Jessica Loves Soccer Correlation
Illustrated by David Cockcroft Level L Leveled Book LEVEL L
© Learning A–Z
www.readinga-z.com Written by Joe Slade Fountas & Pinnell K
Illustrated by David Cockcroft Reading Recovery 18

All rights reserved. DRA 20

www.readinga-z.com

Jessica loved playing soccer. The twins played for the under-tens
She often played with her older neighborhood soccer team. They
twin brothers, Jason and Jamal. were called the Red Dragons.

“Jessica is a good soccer player,” Their team had reached the final
said Jason. of the City Soccer Championships.
They would be playing the Sharks.
“Yes, for a girl,” added Jamal.
4
Jessica Loves Soccer • Level L 3

On the morning of the big game, “Four of our players have chicken
the twins were very excited. pox,” said Coach. “We only have
ten players. The rules say we must
When they arrived at the soccer have eleven players. If we don’t
field, they knew something was have eleven, we can’t play.
wrong. Their coach, and the rest The Sharks will then win the
­of the team, looked very miserable. Championship.”

“What’s wrong?” asked Jason. 6

Jessica Loves Soccer • Level L 5

“We’ve thought of everything,” It was Jessica. Everyone laughed.
said Mike, the team captain. “She’s a girl,” said Mike.
“There’s nobody under ten that “She’s so small,” said Dan.
can play for us.” “But she’s a good player,”
said Jason.
“I’ll play for you,” said a little voice. “. . . for a girl,” said Jamal.

Jessica Loves Soccer • Level L 7 8

“It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t 9 Coach told Jessica not to move
even kick the ball. With eleven from the center circle. She was not
players, we’ll be able to play to kick the ball. She was there to
the game. Welcome to the Red make up the numbers. The teams
Dragons,” said Coach. lined up, ready to play. The boys
on the Sharks team pointed at
Jessica beamed a huge smile. Jessica. They laughed at her
because her shirt was so big.
Jessica Loves Soccer • Level L It reached her knees.

10

The Sharks were a very good team. In the second half, the Dragons
After only five minutes of play, were determined to try harder.
they scored a goal. And since Jessica was told to just
stand in the center circle, it was like
The Dragons were missing some the team was one player short.
of their best players. At half time,
the score was Sharks: 2, Dragons: 1. With five minutes to play, Jason
Jessica had not touched the ball. kicked the ball high across the
Sharks’ goal. Jamal jumped as high
Jessica Loves Soccer • Level L 11 as he could. He hit the ball hard
with his forehead.

12

The ball whizzed past the Sharks Jessica decided it was time to help.
goalkeeper. Jamal scored a She left the center circle. The Sharks
spectacular goal to make the score didn’t notice her moving toward
Sharks: 2, Dragons: 2. the goal. Even her teammates
didn’t notice her.
Jessica Loves Soccer • Level L 13
It was as if she were invisible.

14

One of the Sharks kicked the ball Jessica’s kick was too powerful.
back to his goalkeeper. Jessica ran She scored the winning goal.
to the ball and reached it before The referee blew his whistle to
the goalie. Jessica kicked the ball end the game. The Dragons were
as hard as she could. The Sharks’ the Champions.
goalie dived to stop the ball.
“You are a great soccer player,”
Jessica Loves Soccer • Level L 15 said Jamal.

16