A novel full of surprises, zany and tender, in the spirit of Heartstrings.

Like all the other boys in his class, Achilles plays soccer, but his team always loses, leaving his morale down in the dumps. How is he ever going to win the heart of Suzanne, the girl he's madly in love with? When he realizes she loves poetry, he decides to start writing it as well. His new passion proves infectious, restoring his spirits. Ideas start coming to him, each more madcap than the last: wearing a tie to matches, breaking into Victor Hugo's house, convincing a grouchy old neighbor to come and coach his team... an elderly gentlemen who hides many a secret beneath his impeccable attire.