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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a magical story of a boy's love of a game and the magical world it brought to him and his friends!, June 20, 2010
This review is from: Goal! (Hardcover)
Ajani finished his homework, but still had to fetch water from the well. He had a slight smile on his face as he looked out in the neighborhood as he thought about calling for his friends. He had two buckets in his hands, one of which held his precious "new federation-size football" he won at school for his reading ability. He began to call for his friends, his smile widening as he removed the ball from his dinged up red bucket. "Jamal, Hassan, Magubani, Keto, Badu!" In South Africa the streets were not always safe as bullies sometimes roamed the allies. The boys began to arrive and Ajani rejoiced with them as they no longer had to play with a cheap plastic ball. They began to choose sides and made preparations to guard themselves and the new ball. "Left is clear. Right is clear." Badu, who drew the shortest stick, was to stand guard atop a nearby roof. The game began in earnest and their fears were cast aside and joy permeated the alley as they dribbled and kicked the ball. The bucket sang out when the ball hit it, but suddenly strange voices rang out to them. The bullies had arrived. What could they do to thwart them? Would Ajani be able to save his precious football? This is a magical story of a boy's love of a game and the magical world it brought to him and his friends. I loved the spirit of Ajani and his friends and their determination to play football (soccer), in spite of the inherent dangers involved. The excitement and camaraderie of the friends simply oozed from the beautiful artwork. This is an excellent book for children to learn about another culture and that playing a seemingly simple game in the streets can actually be dangerous. This beautifully done book could be used as a stepping stone for a report on South African culture and customs. This is a remarkable book on the indomitable human spirit you may want to add to your list!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is a gem!, June 13, 2010
This review is from: Goal! (Hardcover)
This beautiful book comes out just in time for the 2010 World Cup, but it will be treasured long after the games are over. The lyrical story is set in South Africa, amidst the kind of poverty that many American kids can hardly imagine. But the emotions of the book's young heroes are powerful, poignant, and universal - a reminder of our common humanity and the unifying power of sport. The courage and pluck these boys show in the face of the bullies they encounter will make you want to stand up and cheer. Bullying is a hot topic these days, and GOAL! will surely be a conversation-starter for both teachers and parents. When I read the book to my 5 1/2 year old, it sparked a great discussion about bullies and bullying, and about how different life can be in other parts of the world. But my son was quick to notice that these South African boys play and love soccer, just like he does. When I got to the end of the book, my son, who usually prefers nonfiction, said, "Read it again!" Javaherbin's poetic text and Ford's emotive oil paintings work beautifully together to create a story that is, in the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's testimonial, "uplifting and inspiring." This is a story that stays with you. I would recommend it for anyone - child, adult, coach, fan - age 6 and up.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Use in a unit on bullying, May 4, 2010
This review is from: Goal! (Hardcover)
A friendly game of football (or soccer, as we'd call it here in the U.S.) provides a rare bright spot for some boys growing up in a shanty township in South Africa. The repeated phrase, "Left is clear / Right is clear" underscores the wariness with which they must conduct themselves because, "the streets are not safe." Ajani has won a new regulation leather ball, and his friends Jamal, Hassan, Magubani, Keto and Badu are persuaded to join him for a game of football in a weatherbeaten alley, using dented metal buckets as goalposts. Just as they begin to relax and enjoy the game however, a group of bullies rides up on bikes. With a bit of inspired thinking, the boys hide their treasured new ball under a bucket, letting the bullies grab their old plastic beach ball instead. Javaherbin's lyrical use of language creates a very readable flow to the story. Ford's full-spread oil illustrations emphasize the contrast between dusty brown streets and ramshackle buildings with the bright blue of the clear open sky. One of the most striking images is the scowl on the lead bully's face as he rides away the plastic ball. The luminous warmth in the boys skin tones is rendered beautifully, while their grimy and tattered clothing is a clue to the kind of poverty they live in. Their smiles and agile postures as they jump, kick and race about the street will be familar to any sports fan. Goal! is a thought-provoking story and is sure to be a welcome addition for teachers or librarians who want to increase their collections on bullying and social issues.
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