Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Soccer history meets mystery in fun, multicultural caper.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN WORLD CUP TROPHY, Diaz is torn between two futures. His dad wants him to be a professional soccer player, but Diaz has wanted to be a detective for as long as he can remember. When he is gifted tickets to a party featuring the unveiling of the World Cup trophy, he watches it vanish before his eyes. Diaz gets his chance to combine both soccer and mystery as he seeks the culprit of the crime. But to figure out who stole the trophy, Diaz is going to need more than his own quick wits. He joins forces with a new friend, a girl named Rio, whose parents just might be on the suspects list. Will Diaz figure out who the real thief is before midnight, or will the World Cup trophy be stolen, for real?
Is It Any Good?
A fun mix of humor, history, and heart, this book is a winner. The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy manages to combine deep themes such as grief, loss, socioeconomic status, and the power of teamwork with an engaging, clever plot. The sprinkling of Latino culture and Spanish language that's woven into the storyline gives the book a unique feel, and Miami's diverse setting adds a nice layer to the story.
The mystery is clever and engaging, with enough red herrings and side quests to keep kids engaged. This book will appeal to both soccer fans and mystery fans, with enough of each to keep readers happy. There's a decent amount of Spanish sprinkled in, but the longer passages are translated or made clear through the plot for non-Spanish speakers. Whether your reader is a soccer fan or an aspiring detective, this mix of mystery and history takes the trophy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy weaves the importance of teamwork throughout the story.
The World Cup trophy has been stolen numerous times. Do you enjoy reading books based on history, or do you prefer pure fiction? Does hearing about the real-life events make you want to learn more about them?
If you are not a native Spanish speaker, were you able to understand the bits of Spanish sprinkled into the book? Why do you think the author chose this technique?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Family Stories ( Dads , Moms ) , Friendship , Sports ( Soccer )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
- Publication date : May 5, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books
- Last updated : June 9, 2026
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