His children’s book series The Wild Soccer Bunch has been published in 28 countries. As the screenwriter and director of the five The Wild Soccer Bunch movies, Joachim has managed to bring about nine million viewers into the theatres. He was the coach of the real Wild Bunch Soccer team and the father of two of the players, Marlon (Tyler) and Leon (Kevin).
JAN BIRCK
Jan was born in 1963 and is an illustrator, animation artist, art director, and cartoonist. Jan designs the Wild Soccer Bunch merchandising with Joachim. Jan lives in Munich with his wife Mumi and his soccer-playing sons Timo and Finn.
When the last of the snow has finally melted, soccer season starts!
Kevin the Star Striker and the Wild Soccer Bunch rush to their field. They have found that Mickey the bulldozer and his gang, the Unbeatables, have taken over. Kevin and his friends challenge the Unbeatables to the biggest game of their lives.
Can the Wild Soccer Bunch defeat the Unbeatables, or will they lose their field of dreams forever? Can they do what no team has done before?
Fabio, the son of a famous Brazilian soccer player, wants to join the Wild Soccer Bunch. But Fabio’s father has other plans. He makes his son play for the Furies, one of the best youth club teams in the country. The Wild Soccer Bunch is devastated, but Diego has a plan. He turns the Wild Soccer Bunch into a club team and challenges the Furies to a game! Can the Wild Soccer Bunch survive the game? Can their friendship endure the test?
Julian Fort Knox, the All-In-One defender, is searching for his father who left one day and never returned. Along the way, Julian runs into Mickey the bulldozer and his gang and when they close in for the attack, the Wild Soccer Bunch is right there to help. One for all and all for one! The Unbeatables decide to challenge them to a rematch – an all-or-nothing “Match for Camelot.” Sure, the Wild Soccer Bunch beat them once, but can they do it again?
Selected Reviews for Books 1 and 2:
“The Wild Soccer Bunch, book 1, is a mash-up of ‘The Mighty Ducks’ and ‘The Seven Samurai’ that every soccer mom will want on her child’s reading list!”
—STEVEN E. DE SOUZA, SCREENWRITER,
48 HOURS, DIE HARD
“A soccer-centric, middle-grade series that’s been making waves abroad is arriving in the U.S. There are now more than nine million copies of the books in print in 32 countries.”
—PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY
“This book is a clear winner.”
—AMANDA RICHARDS, TOP AMAZON REVIEWER
“A Great Read for Middle School Students! I am a middle school librarian and the students absolutely love the first book in the series “Kevin the Star Striker.” There is nothing else like this series that I can find that is readable and appealing to the low and average middle school reader.”
—C. THOMKA, SCHOOL LIBRARIAN
“A fun and exciting read for young soccer fans, The Wild Soccer Bunch is a top pick.”
—MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“This is the kind of book that gets kids reading and begging their parents for the next book in the 13-book series.”
—ROBIN LANDRY
“This is one of those books where you’ll have a hard time putting it down; you will want to read the entire book once you start.”
—SHAWN’S SHARINGS
“As a retired teacher, who has taught many reluctant readers, I highly recommend this inspiring book.”
—EDUCATIONTIPSTER
“A shorter read, which means that even reluctant readers will not be intimidated. The story moves at a quick pace … Great humor … wonderful illustrations. My picky 9-year old said he would read more in the series (this is huge!!!).”
—AN EDUCATOR’S LIFE
“If your child goes to bed wearing soccer cleats so they won’t miss one minute of field time in the morning, he or she will fall in love with the Wild Soccer Bunch.“
—JENNYREVIEWS.COM
“This middle-grade novel isn’t only fun and funny, it touches on some serious aspects of life.”
—IMAGINATION-CAFE BLOG
“The writing is infectious and bodes well for a continuing series by this talented duo of Masannek and Brick.”
—GRADY HARP, TOP AMAZON REVIEWER
“The Wild Soccer Bunch is at it again and their humorously exciting antics will thrill the young reader.”
—D. FOWLER, AMAZON TOP 50 REVIEWERS,
VINE VOICE
Zoe the Fearless Page 8