Golden Goal

Jamie Johnson #3

by Dan Freedman

  But, just when he's close to living the dream, a shocking event turns his world upside down.  

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Sports

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2009

Reviews

[Mark Jamieson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Golden Goal is part of the Jamie Johnson Series, which follows a young hopeful as he tries to become a professional footballer. The book begins with Jamie experiencing the highs of a Youth Cup Final win, being selected to train with the senior first team, before an unexpected twist halfway through the book. As well as the football aspect of the book, it covers aspects of family, relationships and school that many children will identify with at one stage or other. While the author covers these issues quite well I imagine this is a book best used to take advantage of some children's love of football who normally wouldn’t be that interested in reading. As the story is fairly football-heavy it may not be a book for the whole class but certainly a series that is an enjoyable read for the football fans among us. Appropriate for ages 8-11, though that’s not to say those (a lot) older wouldn't also enjoy it. Any more mature football fans will appreciate the references to actual figures from the game that certain peripheral characters are heavily based on, often with a wry smile that the children may not always not always notice.

[Benk · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is very good and it helps your understanding of reading.

[Una · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great read but the only problem I ran into was the length of the book. It was quite short, although I loved the book. If it was a bit longer, I’d rate it 5*. But, love the book and hope Dan makes another one ;)

[Leah Greaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is alos a very good book it was really intresting. I recommened this to anyone that likes football books and also Goal as well

[Lucy Beattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was brilliant just a great book in a hole.

[Louisa McLean · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was sad but very inspiring and I really enjoyed it.

[Gerard · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review of Golden Goal by Dan Freedman
I thought this was a great book! As I have stated previously I think some students may be hesitant to pick up a book but by guiding them towards a book which they can identify with (in this case Year 5/6) you can really spark off an interest. I picked a book about football as I can relate to it and really wish I had of found more books like this when I was younger.
In this book the protagonist Jamie Johnson, our favourite junior football star has been taken on by the country's biggest club, Foxborough Utd. He's at their academy, and we meet him again on the day of the Youth Cup Final. Jamie, of course, shines, and his skills and pace get him noticed by, Brian Robertson, the Foxborough manager. Before he knows it, Jamie is training with the first team squad, and just a few weeks later, he is selected for a game.
However everybody doesn’t grow up to be a professional football superstar, and Freedman is careful to ground his narrative into much more realistic situations. Perhaps more importantly, we also have the kinds of events that every Jamie Johnson reader is going to live through - first girlfriends, growing up, conflict with parents, and deaths in the family.
I think this is a great book and by using football to gain attention and then delving into important issues to ‘train’ children to deal with events which we all must go through as part of growing up is fantastic and the children don’t even realise!

[Cr7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

His dream becoming a professional footballer is coming true. After those past three months his dreams of becoming one. He puts his self into the toughest challenge that he has ever done before. He wants to complete the challenge to be a professional footballer so his family believes that he will succeed to be one.

[Hamaad · Rating 5 out of 5]

its such a good book. Dan freedman can really make a good book

[Justin Lim · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read.

[Alex]

its going to be about soccer

[15HillsJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was very good and it also taught you a lot about football but it was a good book overall and I really recommend it

[15Vailel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the JJ series. Jamie's dreams of becoming a professional footballer seem to be coming true, after years of hoping and practising. But, just when he's close to living the dream, a shocking event turns his world upside down. He's never been a quitter, but can he rise to the toughest challenge of his life?