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  • Published: 12 December 2023
  • ISBN: 9780823449132
  • Imprint: Holiday House
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 240
  • RRP: $40.00

The Final Goal



In this thrilling conclusion to the Star Striker series, Albert and his team face the final round of the interplanetary soccer tournament—but with the Zeenods’ freedom on the line, it’s no game.

In this thrilling conclusion to the Star Striker series, Albert and his team face the final round of the interplanetary soccer tournament—but with the Zeenods’ freedom on the line, it’s no game.

As Albert and the Zeenods prepare for their final games in the interplanetary soccer tournament, Albert knows he should feel like he’s already won. He loves soccer, and he and his teammates have survived constant danger. But instead, it’s more like the ground is falling out from under him—literally.

In order to win, Albert must face his fear of drowning when he learns the game takes place on a hostile planet where fissures split the field wide open. But in order to expose the Tev’s war crimes, he’ll have to take on trouble much deeper than any underground river . . . all with Zeenod enemies still trying to kill him.

Will Albert and his friends be able to land a score against a team—and empire—that has taken everything from them? Or will everyone he cares about wind up the biggest losers in the galaxy?

Action-packed, yet filled with humor and heart, the final book of Mary Amato’s Star Striker series combines a sci-fi sports story with powerful social justice themes for a satisfying, high-stakes conclusion.

  • Published: 12 December 2023
  • ISBN: 9780823449132
  • Imprint: Holiday House
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 240
  • RRP: $40.00

About the author

Mary Amato

Mary Amato is the author of many acclaimed books for children including Invisible Lines, which was nominated for the California Young Readers Medal and was selected for the Missouri Truman Awards Master List. Of that book, The Washington Post states, “you may come to learn . . . an important lesson about what really matters in life. But amid all that learning of important lessons, there will be a good bit of giggling, too.”

A prolific songwriter, Mary sings, plays the guitar, and teaches songwriting. She also performs in the Washington, DC, area. Guitar Notes is her first novel for young adult readers.

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