Review: Soccerwild by Craig Wells
Healing rarely follows a straight path. Sometimes it arrives one fragmented thought, one unexpected friendship, and one small act of courage at a time.
Some stories ask readers to slow down and experience the world through someone else's eyes. SoccerWild is one of those books. Craig Wells tells Tobias's story through brief, stream-of-consciousness passages that mirror the thoughts of a young boy struggling with loss, guilt, and questions no child should have to answer. While the unconventional format may take a few pages to settle into, it becomes a fitting reflection of Tobias's emotional landscape. At its heart, this is a thoughtful middle-grade novel about grief, family, forgiveness, and the unexpected friendship that helps one boy begin to find hope again.
About Soccerwild
Soccerwild: A Middle Grade Soccer Story About Grief, Courage, and Healing By Craig Wells
Published by Independent Author on December 2025
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Middle-Grade
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 173
A heartfelt middle-grade soccer story about grief, courage, family, and the wild bond that helps one boy find his way back to the game he loves.
Tobias used to dream in soccer.The field, the ball, the rush of the game, and the greatness of Lionel Messi once filled his world with purpose. But after the loss of his little brother, everything changes. The game he loved now feels impossible, his family feels broken, and the guilt he carries is heavier than anything he can say out loud.
Then Diego appears.
Wild, unpredictable, and full of life, Diego the coyote slowly pulls Tobias out of his silence. Through their unusual bond, Tobias begins to laugh again, feel again, and remember the courage he thought he had lost. But healing is never simple, and Tobias must learn that love is not always about holding on. Sometimes, it is about finding the strength to let go.
SOCCERWILD is a moving and inspiring choice for readers looking for soccer books for kids 8-12, middle-grade books about soccer, and middle-grade sports fiction with emotional depth. Blending the energy of the game with themes of grief, family, friendship, resilience, and hope, this story speaks to young soccer fans as well as parents, teachers, and librarians searching for meaningful fiction for middle-grade readers.
Perfect for readers who enjoy soccer books for boys, kids' books about soccer, children's books about soccer, and emotional stories about courage after loss, SOCCERWILD offers more than a sports adventure. It is a powerful story about a boy learning how to live with grief, reconnect with family, and rediscover the game that once made him feel alive.
For anyone searching for a story about soccer for kids, middle-grade books about grief, or kids' books about loss that still carry hope, heart, and inspiration, SOCCERWILD is a memorable journey of healing, courage, and the wild path back to joy.
Reader Resources
Review at a Glance
| Genre | Middle-Grade Fiction • Contemporary Fiction • Literary Fiction |
| Perfect For | Readers who enjoy thoughtful middle-grade fiction, emotionally rich coming-of-age stories, animal companions, and books that explore grief, healing, and family relationships. |
| Pace | Quiet, reflective, and very fast to read despite its emotional depth. |
| Writing Style | Stream-of-consciousness prose presented in short, fragmented passages that mirror the narrator's emotional state. |
| Themes | Grief, healing, forgiveness, family, resilience, friendship, identity, and the healing power of nature. |
Quick Take: A thoughtful and emotionally rich middle-grade novel that explores grief, healing, and resilience through an unconventional stream-of-consciousness narrative. While the fragmented writing style may take a few pages to adjust to, it effectively captures Tobias's inner world and makes his journey toward hope all the more meaningful.
Content Considerations
Recommended for middle-grade readers (approximately ages 10-14). The story explores grief, family separation, and emotional healing with sensitivity and hope.
- Death of a younger sibling (past event)
- Parental separation and abandonment themes
- Parent coping with grief through alcohol misuse
- Feelings of guilt and self-blame
- Emotional discussions of loss and healing
- Mild peril involving a rescued coyote pup
Despite these difficult topics, the overall tone is compassionate and ultimately hopeful, emphasizing resilience, forgiveness, and the healing power of family, friendship, and nature.
Every reader experiences a book a little differently. Here's what resonated most with me as I followed Tobias's journey.
My Thoughts
Soccerwild isn't a conventional middle-grade novel, and I believe that's entirely intentional. Craig Wells tells Tobias's story through fragmented, stream-of-consciousness passages that mirror the thoughts of a boy weighed down by grief, guilt, and unanswered questions. The format took me a little time to adjust to, and I occasionally found myself rereading passages to fully absorb their meaning. Once I settled into the rhythm, however, I appreciated how closely the style reflected Tobias's emotional state.
Although soccer provides the backdrop for the story, this is ultimately a novel about loss and healing. Tobias carries an overwhelming sense of responsibility for events far beyond his control-his mother's decision to leave for India, the death of his younger brother, and his father's struggle to cope with grief. Like many children facing trauma, he quietly assumes burdens that no child should have to bear.
The relationship between Tobias and Diego, the coyote pup, became the emotional heart of the novel for me. Diego represents more than a rescued wild animal. He embodies freedom, resilience, and the untamed spirit Tobias has nearly lost beneath his grief. Through caring for Diego, Tobias slowly begins extending the same compassion to himself, discovering that healing doesn't mean forgetting-it means learning to move forward while carrying love with you.
I also appreciated the way Wells avoids offering easy answers. Tobias's family remains imperfect, grief continues to shape each character differently, and healing comes through small moments rather than dramatic revelations. Those quiet victories felt authentic and age-appropriate for middle-grade readers.
The novel's unconventional structure may not be for every reader, but those willing to embrace its distinctive rhythm will discover a deeply compassionate story about grief, forgiveness, and hope. Readers who enjoy literary fiction or character-driven stories, however, may find the unconventional presentation enhances the emotional experience rather than distracting from it.
Soccerwild is a thoughtful, compassionate novel that invites readers to see grief through the eyes of a young boy learning that forgiveness-including forgiving himself-is part of finding hope again. It's a brief but meaningful story that lingers long after the final page.
⭐ My Rating
★★★★☆ 4.0 / 5
A thoughtful and emotionally resonant novel whose unconventional narrative style beautifully reflects its themes, though it may require a little patience from readers unfamiliar with its distinctive rhythm.
Interested in learning more about the types of books I feature? Visit my How I Choose Books page for a behind-the-scenes look at my selection process.
Final Thoughts
Soccerwild is a distinctive middle-grade novel that asks readers to experience grief through the fragmented, searching thoughts of a young boy finding his way forward. Craig Wells takes an unconventional approach to storytelling, but one that thoughtfully reflects Tobias's emotional journey.
While the stream-of-consciousness style may require a little patience at first, readers who embrace its rhythm will discover a compassionate story about family, forgiveness, resilience, and the power of unexpected friendships. It's a reminder that hope often begins with small acts of courage-and that even after profound loss, life still offers the possibility of connection, growth, and joy.
If you enjoy character-driven middle-grade fiction that explores complex emotions with honesty and heart, Soccerwild is well worth the journey.
Every story begins with an author. Here's a little about the person behind the pages.
Meet the Author
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Adding this one to my tbr!