Charlie Bumpers vs. the Puny Pirates - Paperback

by Bill Harley (Author), Adam Gustavson (Illustrator)

Charlie and his best friends are finally on the same soccer team. But is it a winning combination?

Charlie Bumpers and his best friends are finally on the same soccer team and are sure the Pirates will be the best team ever! But their high hopes are crushed on the first day of practice. Not only do they have a bunch of shrimpy and inexperienced teammates, but also their new coach doesn't believe in star players. And the first few games provide little to be proud of.

If they can't be on a winning team, Charlie thinks maybe he, Tommy, and Hector can at least win the prize for selling the most candy bars for the team fundraiser. But after a series of near catastrophes, Charlie and his friends learn that hotshot plays and gimmicky sales techniques aren't as effective as hard work, honesty, and cooperation.

Black and white illustrations throughout.

Author Biography

Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, musician, and author who has been writing and performing for kids and families for more than forty years. He has appeared nationally in theaters, schools, libraries, festivals and conferences, as a workshop leader and keynote and inspirational speaker. His picture books and middle-grade novels have won wide acclaim, from Bank Street School of Education Best Books, Children's Choice Awards, Green Earth Book Awards, and pick of the list from ABA.
Harley was called the Mark Twain of contemporary children's music by Entertainment Weekly. He lives in Massachusetts.

Adam Gustavson holds an MFA from the School of Visual Arts and a BFA from Rowan University and has taught at Seton Hall University and Philadelphia's University of the Arts. He is the award-winning illustrator of over thirty books for children. He lives, paints, teaches, and plays music in his home state of New Jersey, along with his charming family and a neurotic poodle.