King of the Bench: Kicking & Screaming

In the third book of this highly illustrated middle grade series from the nationally syndicated cartoonist of “In the Bleachers,” Steve takes one for the benchwarmers to play his least favorite sport.

Perfect for fans of Timmy Failure and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, King of the Bench is an ode to teammates, underdogs, and benchwarmers everywhere.

Steve is King of the Bench. No brag. It’s just a fact. But this season, his soccer-loving pals Joey and Carlos—plus soccer superstar Becky O’Callahan—are dragging him off the bench to play for the Spiro T. Agnew JV soccer team, even though soccer doesn’t exactly fry his burger.

Will Steve’s epic and hilarious weekend at an away tournament leave him hating soccer more than ever? Or will he finally discover what all the kicking and screaming is about?

• Reluctant Hero: As the self-proclaimed King of the Bench, Steve would rather do anything than play soccer. But when his friendship with star player Becky is on the line, he has no choice but to suit up.
• From Benchwarmer to Goalkeeper: Steve has terrible foot-eye coordination, but when he’s forced onto the field, he discovers his true talent lies in a position he never expected.
• Laugh-Out-Loud Hijinks: Get ready for an away tournament filled with cranky bus drivers, a legendary rival named Thunderfoot, and an unfortunate encounter with a very defensive skunk.
• Illustrated and Hilarious: Packed with funny cartoons in the style of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this series is perfect for middle grade readers who love to laugh.