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10th out of 13 books
—
4 voters
Goal!
A lyrical, strikingly illustrated story celebrates the unifying power of soccer.
In a dusty township in South Africa, Ajani and his friends have earned a brand-new, federation-size soccer ball.
They kick. They dribble. They run. They score. These clever boys are football champions! But when a crew of bullies tries to steal their ball, will Ajani and his friends be able to b...more
In a dusty township in South Africa, Ajani and his friends have earned a brand-new, federation-size soccer ball.
They kick. They dribble. They run. They score. These clever boys are football champions! But when a crew of bullies tries to steal their ball, will Ajani and his friends be able to b...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
April 13th 2010
by Candlewick
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Mar 25, 2013
Barbara
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
nbgs2011,
bullies,
community,
cultural-identity,
friendship,
picture-book,
sports,
self-esteem,
poverty
Although soccer--or football as it is called in most of the world--is at the heart of this inspiring book, it deals with so much more than just sports. Yes, the story centers on Ajani and his friends in a small South African town and their joy in playing soccer with the new ball Ajani won for his reading ability. But it's also about the courage needed to face--and sometimes trick--bullies who often seem intent on taking away what someone else has. It also deals with the power of unity and coming...more
While young readers may not live in a neighborhood like the boys in this book, have to fetch their water or face the same safety challenges, there is much in this book that transcends boundary. Many children know the joy of a game with friends after homework is done. Many have played football with friends, whether they called it football or soccer, played it with nets or buckets for goals. Ajani has a real treasure he earned at school - a football.
When they see the streets are safe, boys come ou...more
When they see the streets are safe, boys come ou...more
Goal, written by Mina Javaherbin and illustrated by A. G. Ford, does a wonderful thing: it embraces its setting and the culture of its characters without preaching about them or other-izing them. Goal tells the story of a group of boys in a South African shantytown who, during a game of street soccer (called in the story, like it is in South Africa, ‘football’), escape the wrath of the town bullies, and manage to hang on to their “federation-sized football” for another game.
Javaherbin’s lyrical...more
Javaherbin’s lyrical...more
Beautifully written this soccer book is about more than just the game. Safety, poverty, bullying and friendship are all explored in this deceptively simple picture book. The language is lovely “I follow the ball to the end of the alley; I follow the ball to the end of the world.” A repeated refrain also helps remind the reader that danger is always lurking. Lots of fantastic examples of multi-culturalism from the kids’ names to “Bafana Bafana” the South African nickname for their home team. The...more
Goal! is a realistic, fictional account of a boys' soccer game in South Africa. After being awarded a federation-size football for being the best reader in class, Ajani and his friends play a pick up match, all the while looking out for the neighborhood bullies. When the bullies show up, a little luck, ingenuity, and deception help the younger boys keep their soccer ball.
When I initially read the book, I questioned its authenticity. Some, but not all, of the boys are wearing sneakers to play so...more
When I initially read the book, I questioned its authenticity. Some, but not all, of the boys are wearing sneakers to play so...more
In a South African town, a young boy and his friends have to check to see if the left is clear and if the right is clear before they go out to play. If the streets are safe, they can play football, or soccer as it's known in the US. Even when the streets are clear, one boy has to act as the watchman, looking for bullies or anything else that may disrupt their game. Despite the poor circumstances, the boys enjoy a game of football, trash talking and imagining themselves as the hero of the game,...more
I loved this book so much I made my husband read it. Of course he is gripped by soccer fever right now (gooooooooooooooooooooooool!) due to the World Cup. But it made me think of him getting together with his friends in the dirt streets of El Centenario to play soccer. The story is that of Ajani and his friends who are excited to play with a real, new soccer ball rather than the old lightweight plastic thing they usually have to use. But they have to keep a sharp lookout for the bullies who are...more
Soccer or "football" is a sport enjoyed all over the world. When Ajani earns a new federation-size ball for being the best reader in his class, he and his friends are eager to play. In the South African town where they live, the streets are not always safe, and they must have a look out to watch for trouble. When bullies show up and interrupt the game, Anjani must think fast in order to save his prized ball.
Javaherbin does a good job of developing an interesting plot for elementary readers. Chil...more
Javaherbin does a good job of developing an interesting plot for elementary readers. Chil...more
Goal! By Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by A.G. Ford. 2010, Candlewick Press.
Ajani, a young boy who lives in South African, has gotten a real, federation-sized football (soccer ball) for being the best reader at school. He and his friends (Jamal, Hassan, Magubani, Kato & Badu) play in the street, but the streets are not safe. They have to take turns keeping watch, looking out for bullies. When they play football, they have fun though and forget to be afraid. When some older bullies ride up on...more
Ajani, a young boy who lives in South African, has gotten a real, federation-sized football (soccer ball) for being the best reader at school. He and his friends (Jamal, Hassan, Magubani, Kato & Badu) play in the street, but the streets are not safe. They have to take turns keeping watch, looking out for bullies. When they play football, they have fun though and forget to be afraid. When some older bullies ride up on...more
n a run-down South African town, a group of boys gets together to play soccer with a brand-new ball. The appearance of bullies threatens to ruin their fun, but in this story for young readers the boys turn out all right, soccer ball intact. The illustrations are lifelike and each boys face perfectly expresses the emotions of excitement, fear, and dismay. The text and the brief author's note hint at larger threats and dangers than bullies, but the book is more about children having fun playing a...more
A young boy in South Africa rejoices when he is awarded a brand new soccer ball for being the best reader I his class. He shares the reward with his friends in the streets of their village. A quiet refrain of "left is clear, right is clear" is said as the boys check up and down the street for bullies. When the bullies do appear, the boys think fast in order to keep their precious football.
This book is beautifully illustrated in a manner that suggests reality rather than mimic it. The story is s...more
This book is beautifully illustrated in a manner that suggests reality rather than mimic it. The story is s...more
I enjoyd this realistic fiction book.This book is about Africans that plays soccer.The Africans play and play some body cicks the ball and sudantle the ball moved and went fore a corner cick.They senter and a goal came up.soccer is important to the Africans because they dont have much electronic stuf like tv so they have fun with soccer.My convinacion is I found a soccer ball a buly waned to take it away and I dint let him take it.How is his school diferent frome ours?I recomend this book to Gio...more
TOPICS
* History of soccer (aka: futbol) around the world
* World Cup
* Bullies
* South Africa
* Sports as a reprieve from hardship
* Poverty
* Friendship
IDEAS
* Host a guest speaker who is knowledgeable about soccer
* Have a soccer tournament
* Compare and contrast US Soccer to Worldwide Futbol
* Research life in South Africa
* Incorporate the World Cup
* Create Google Earth map pinpointing countries where soccer is top sport
* Compare lives of US athletes to lives of International athletes
* History of soccer (aka: futbol) around the world
* World Cup
* Bullies
* South Africa
* Sports as a reprieve from hardship
* Poverty
* Friendship
IDEAS
* Host a guest speaker who is knowledgeable about soccer
* Have a soccer tournament
* Compare and contrast US Soccer to Worldwide Futbol
* Research life in South Africa
* Incorporate the World Cup
* Create Google Earth map pinpointing countries where soccer is top sport
* Compare lives of US athletes to lives of International athletes
Javaherbin, Mina. (2010). GOAL! A. G. Ford. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Literary Genre: Multicultural/International (Picture Book)
Ajani has to get water from the well before dark, but his homework is finished, so first it’s soccer time! Ajani and his friends must be careful as they play soccer because the streets are not safe in South Africa. When bullies come their way, Ajani and his friends are clever. The combination of repetitive phrases and detailed illustrations of bright blues and...more
Literary Genre: Multicultural/International (Picture Book)
Ajani has to get water from the well before dark, but his homework is finished, so first it’s soccer time! Ajani and his friends must be careful as they play soccer because the streets are not safe in South Africa. When bullies come their way, Ajani and his friends are clever. The combination of repetitive phrases and detailed illustrations of bright blues and...more
In the spirit of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa this picture book highlights the power of football/soccer to unite people. In the story a group of younger boys stick together and outsmart a group of older bullying boys. The narrative is written with inspirational tones: “I follow the ball to the end of the valley; I follow the ball to the end of the world;” and the illustrations are realistic but with a strong artistic vision emphasizing facial expressions and movement.
Set in a small South African township, Ajani and his friends have a new, federation-sized soccer ball. They are having a great time playing soccer, but the area is not safe and it's not long before bullies comes by to try and steel their soccer ball. Ajani and his friends work together as a team when they play a soccer and when they face (and outsmart) the bullies. Great illustrations and great lesson about the power of teamwork and friendship.
Finally arrived at the library, a little late for the World Cup, but I was still very eager to read it! And I really, really enjoyed it. The illustrations are luminous and create the perfect sense of the beauty of life and the hardships that sometimes surround it, which is so deftly told through Javaherbin's text. The streets of the South African town where the boys play soccer are not always safe, but friends stay together and the thrill of the game helps them find joy in life. As the author sa...more
This book is about children who play soccer in the streets of South Africa. It is usually not safe to play because of bullies and dangerous people in the streets but it teaches how the game of soccer brings happiness and fun to lives of children who live in the streets and slums of South Africa. Wonderful book. Especially since my son just absolutely loves to play soccer and takes for granted how easy it is so play it here.
My opinion is I love this book, Goal. This book is about kids that play soccer to forget that they are poor and that the bullies pick on them. So they can forget their poor village.
The kids ignored the bullies and keep playing.
Question: Why are the bullies mean to them?
Schema: Some kids used to bully me.
Recommend: I recommend this book to Bianca because she likes soccer.
Genre: This book is Realistic Fiction.
The kids ignored the bullies and keep playing.
Question: Why are the bullies mean to them?
Schema: Some kids used to bully me.
Recommend: I recommend this book to Bianca because she likes soccer.
Genre: This book is Realistic Fiction.
Set in South Africa, boys want to play soccer, even though the streets aren't safe. So they take turns acting as lookout while the others play. The bullies do come . . . but things work out okay. Deceptively short text -- conveys a lot of information, feeling, and cultural references in few words. Really striking illustrations. A real love of the game here too.
Author originally from Iran; lives in California now.
Author originally from Iran; lives in California now.
A mi me encanta este libro ficcionrealista libro se trata de un nino que juega futdol con sus amigos.El nino vive en Africa.El futdol es importante para el nino porque quiere tener una mejor vida.Este libro esta escrito por Mina Javaherbin.Yo tengo esquema con este libro que yo juego futdol con mis amigos como el nino.Me pregunto porque el autor escribio este libro.Quiero recomender este libro a Ms. Yegge porque pienso que le va a gustar como me gusto.
I found the illustrations to be extremely vivid and they really helped bring the emotions of the boys to life. Although there was an underlying theme of bullying here, I didn't find that it sent a clear message to children on how to deal with the issue. I did find it helpful in teaching children about other cultures and how something, like football (or to Americans, soccer) can unify a group of children and make them feel protected. This could be utilized in the classroom to generate a discussio...more
Another nominee in the California Young Readers Medal Picture Books for Older Readers Category. This amazing book with sparse text manages to capture a wide range of emotion as the group of young boys revel in their new soccer ball, are accosted by bullies, and then outwit the bullies and resume their game. I particularly liked the author's note on the history of soccer. those who lov
MY OPINON OF GOAL IS THAT ITS VERY GOOD.ITS GENARE IS REAL FICTION.its abut a boy that makse a kool gol .is that hes a good soocer player and i am a good socer player.i would ask them him why do the bullis bulli them.i recomend this book to a friend couse it techas not to bulli. my schema is that his a good socer player and i am a good soker player. i recomend this book to a bulli so they can stop duing that.
Set in South Africa, this picture book explore universal themes of what it means to work together as a team. Young students will be able to relate to the plot that has to do with a prized soccer ball, some determined children, and a few bullies. A feel-good kind of story which would work well for the start of the school year and establishing class rules.
Javagerbin,M.(2010). Goal! Somerville,MA: Candlewick Press.
Category: Family life
Subgroup: South Africa
Genre:Fiction
Topics: Soccer, Friendship, townships
Synopsis: A group of kids escape the hardships of their township by playing soccer. This book is good for nine and ten years old. This book can be used to introduce current social issues and get the students looking at social issues in their community and researching what individuals are doing to conquer those issues.
Category: Family life
Subgroup: South Africa
Genre:Fiction
Topics: Soccer, Friendship, townships
Synopsis: A group of kids escape the hardships of their township by playing soccer. This book is good for nine and ten years old. This book can be used to introduce current social issues and get the students looking at social issues in their community and researching what individuals are doing to conquer those issues.
In some parts of the world, a soccer ball means everything, especially for a group of young friends. One boy receives a regulation-sized soccer ball. He and his friends love to play soccer, but one must always be on watch for the neighborhood bullies, who would like nothing better than to take that ball. Friendship and the soccer ball prevail!
multicultural, great illustrations,
Story set in Afica about kids playing soccer while watching out for local bullies who steal a ball from them, luckily not the new leather one won for being the best reader in class.
Room for lots of discussion with older kids. May need to practice names of the kids and players for pronunciation.
Story set in Afica about kids playing soccer while watching out for local bullies who steal a ball from them, luckily not the new leather one won for being the best reader in class.
Room for lots of discussion with older kids. May need to practice names of the kids and players for pronunciation.
Great story of friends braving the dangerous streets of a South African township in order to play football (soccer) with a new federation-sized football that one of the boys wins for being the best reader in his class. He and his friends end up out witting the local bully-gang. The joy of play and of sport really shines through!
I LIKE THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT SOCCER.THIS BOOKS GENRE IS REALISTIC FICTION BECAUSE THE CHARACTERS ARE MADE UP BUT IT MIGHT HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE.IN THE BEGINNING,THE BOY NEEDED TO GET WATER FROM THE WELL BEFORE DARK.IN THE MIDDLE, HE WAS PLAYING SOCCER WITH HIS FRIENDS.IN THE END,WHEN THEY WERE PLAYING SOCCER THE BIG BOYS STOPPED THE BOYS THAT WERE PLAYING SOCCER AND THEY TOK THE BALL AWAY.
MY SCHEMA:THEY PLAY SOCCER AND I DO TO.
MY QUESTIONS:WHY IS HE SCARED OF THE BIG BOYS?
MY BOOK RECOMMEN...more
MY SCHEMA:THEY PLAY SOCCER AND I DO TO.
MY QUESTIONS:WHY IS HE SCARED OF THE BIG BOYS?
MY BOOK RECOMMEN...more
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Mina Javaherbin was born in Iran and immigrated to the United States, where she is now a practicing architect. She lives in Southern California.
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