Title Page

This book was created

especially for

Jessica Ann Smith

at the age of 6

With love from

Mom and Dad

June 12, 2003

Page 3

Jessica Smith lay asleep in her bed, dreaming about tomorrow's

game. The next afternoon would be one of the most important games she

had ever played. A scout from America's national team would be in

Fort Wayne watching the game and perhaps select players to represent

America in the "6 and under" world championships.

Page 4

In his office, the scout was busy assessing the strengths and

weaknesses of each player. In fact, the team he had already picked was so

strong that he didn't think anyone from tomorrow's game would have a

chance to make the team.

Page 7

The next day Jessica was awesome. She dribbled the ball as

if it were attached to her feet. Her passes were right on the mark

and she scored a beautiful goal to help her team tie the best team in

the league. Jessica had noticed the scout watching her, but the scout

was stone-faced, and Jessica didn't know what he was thinking.

Page 8

Two days later, the scout telephoned her.

"Jessica, would you be interested in playing for America in

the "6 and under" world championships?" he asked. "We have a

series of practices starting next week and then the games begin."

"Yes!" Jessica said excitedly, nearly dropping the telephone. "I'll be there."

Page 11

At practice the next week, Jessica met her coach and was

introduced to all the other players. Jessica proudly put on the American

uniform. She could hardly wait for the championships to begin.

"Imagine," she thought to herself, "I'm playing for America."

Page 12

After a week of tough practices, the day of the first match finally

arrived. In the locker room, the coach was going over the game plan

and giving the players their final instructions. Jessica sat very still

and quiet. She was so nervous.

Page 15

When the American team ran onto the field, the roar of the crowd was

deafening. Jessica had never been in front of a crowd this large before.

Jessica became even more nervous when she remembered that she would be

seen on television for the first time. She wondered if Mariah, Gracie and

Fiona would be watching as she was introduced to the crowd.

Page 16

Soon the big game was ready to begin. Jessica joined several other

players on the bench. Unfortunately, the first half started badly for

America as the opposition took the lead early in the game. America was still

losing by a goal at half-time.

Page 19

In the American dressing room you could hear a pin drop. Jessica and the

rest of the players were dejected. The silence was finally broken when the

coach came into the room. He suggested that a number of players should be

playing better. He then went over the game plan for the second half and tried

to "pump-up" his troops.

Page 20

The American team played much better in the second half, but could

not get the goal they needed to catch up. The game was very physical and

several players were knocked to the ground with hard tackles. America's

star goal scorer fell painfully to the ground after a tackle and was unable to

 continue. The coach called Jessica over. "Get in there and try to score

a goal," he instructed her.

Page 23

Jessica was not used to competing against such good players.

The pace was incredibly quick. As usual, she played hard, and sweat

poured down her brow. The sounds of the crowd rang in her ear. Jessica

knew that her friends, including Mariah, Gracie and Fiona, were

cheering every move that she made and she did not want to disappoint

such good friends.

Page 24

The first time Jessica got the ball, she managed to side-step a

defender and loft the ball into the penalty area. One of her teammates

leaped above the other defenders and headed the ball into the corner net.

The crowd erupted into cheers. The game was tied.

Page 27

With only three minutes of time remaining to play, it seemed that the

game was certain to go into extra time. Both teams were desperate to

find a way to score that winning goal. As time slipped away, the ball

came to Jessica near mid-field. She ran up the field with defenders all

around her.

Page 28

Jessica faked as if she were going to kick to the right and then

using all the skill she had been taught, she drilled the ball toward

the upper left corner of the goal. The crowd was silent and time seemed

to stand still. Then, suddenly, the ball was in the net. As the crowd

realized that Jessica had just scored the winning goal of the game, they

went wild with excitement. Jessica ran with joy, waving her hands high.

Page 31

All of the American players ran to Jessica, excitedly jumping and

shouting. The crowd was cheering loudly: "Jessica!, Jessica!,

Jessica!, Jessica!", just as time ran out and the referee blew the final

whistle. The American team had won.

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That night Jessica could hardly sleep. All she could think about was

"The Big Game" and the sounds of the fans cheering. Next week, they would

play again. Although it was a long shot, America, with Jessica's help,

had a chance to be world champions. That night Jessica had a dream.

She imagined winning the world championship and holding the cup high

above her head while the crowd cheered wildly. One time she woke up

holding her pillow as if it were a trophy. It wasn't quite the trophy

she wanted, but Jessica knew she wasn't far from making her dream come true.

Page 35

Jessica

Hope you enjoy this book from

Mom and Dad

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