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Overview

Celebrate soccer—and the World Cup!

“Uplifting and inspiring, this beautifully written and illustrated book reminds us of the joys and saving grace of friendship and sport.” — Archbishop Desmond Tutu

In a dusty township in South Africa, Ajani and his friends have earned a brand-new, federationsize 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 beat them at their own game?

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About the Author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763658229
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	04/10/2012
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	1,068,870
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 10.60(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD480L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 10 Years

About the Author

Mina Javaherbin was born and raised in Iran and now lives in San Clemente, California. This is her debut picture book.

A. G. Ford is the illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Barack by Jonah Winter and Michelle by Deborah Hopkinson. He also contributed to Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook. He lives in The Colony,Texas.

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Editorial Reviews

Large and colorful action shots, many full spread, keep the story moving at a quick pace. . . . Choose this book with an international bent to supplement other books on bullying, because it will open up another opportunity for conversation and discussion.
—School Library Journal

The poetic text’s rhythmic repetition emphasizes the boys’ joyful empowerment: “When we play, / we forget to worry. / When we run, / we are not afraid.” In full-page oil paintings, Ford uses unusual angles to intensify the sense of the scuffling, exciting action.
—Booklist

While the level of danger—and deprivation—these boys face may be unfamiliar to many American readers, the quick-moving soccer action, tension, and triumph over the common threat of bullies have near-universal appeal.
—Publishers Weekly

Moving message about soccer’s power to inspire and connect fans and players around the world.
—Booklist

I can’t think of another book that so succinctly and simply portrays the power of sports to unite and uplift….wonderfully conveys the passion the rest of the world feels for football as well as the conditions much of the world lives in - a fabulous sports book and so much more.
—Bookends (Booklist blog)

A lyrical, strikingly illustrated story that celebrates the unifying power of soccer.
—90 Minutes Soccer Magazine

A lyrical, spare story of friendship and empowerment. . . . Gorgeous oil paintings, and Ford perfectly nails the wide-ranging moods that rear their heads in the story: Elation, fear, embarrassment, courage, and right back to elation. And …victory.
—Seven Impossible Things blog

Uplifting and inspiring, this beautifully written and illustrated book reminds us of the joys and saving grace of friendship and sport. Set in South Africa, this book is a gift for soccer fans and all families around the world.
—Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Action-packed oil paintings expand the artfully clipped style of a satisfying story as much about teamwork, global connection and the pleasure of play as about soccer itself.
—San Francisco Chronicle

Ford's oil paintings capture the faces and posture of boyhood confrontation perfectly. His color choices and use of light to imply motion are masterful
—News & Record

From the Publisher

Gr 2–4—Six boys in a small South African town thwart a group of bullies who threaten to stop their soccer game by stealing their prize possession, a federation-size ball. The camaraderie of these youngsters is evident as they play soccer after chores and homework are done in order to find some relief from daily hardships. The bullies arrive suddenly on bikes, even though the boys had planned ahead and posted a lookout atop a nearby building. The author uses repetitive phrasing, "Left is clear. Right is clear," to indicate that the youth are always aware that the streets are not safe. Illustrations rendered in oil are impressive. Large and colorful action shots, many full spread, keep the story moving at a quick pace. Expressive facial features emphasize the tension felt when the hoodlums interrupt the soccer fun. Choose this book with an international bent to supplement other books on bullying, because it will open up another opportunity for conversation and discussion.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

School Library Journal

A group of friends enjoys a game of soccer in the street, fending off bullies and cleverly protecting their prized new regulation soccer ball. Kids who don't read the author's note won't know that this game takes place in South Africa, but they'll certainly see the poverty the kids face, as Ford's oil paintings show dirt streets, patched shacks and clothing that is worn and torn. They'll also recognize the thrill of having something brand new and root for the younger kids to outwit the bullies. They have more trouble following the action. It takes a keen eye to figure out who's who, and the pictures have a static feel that contrasts with first-time author Javaherbin's breathless play-by-play narration. The danger posed by the older boys is unclear but ominous, implied by the fact that one of the boys sits out the game as a guard. The paintings are realistic and evocatively capture the dusty alley and an incongruously lovely sunset, but ultimately neither words nor pictures come fully to life. (Picture book. 7-9)

Kirkus Reviews

In her debut picture book, Javaherbin crisply relays a simple story that should strike a chord with a wide range of readers. In a barren South African village, Ajani calls for his friends to come out to play soccer. The boy carries the pristine federation-size ball (which he won for being the best reader in class) in a dented pail he'll later use to fetch water. Ford's (Barack) dramatically lit oil paintings convey Ajani's excitement and pride about his new acquisition (“We are real champions, playing with a real ball”). He and his friends are also wary of bullies who roam the streets, and one boy stands guard on a rooftop. When the mean boys arrive, Ajani surreptitiously kicks the soccer ball into the overturned bucket and the oblivious bullies instead steal an old plastic ball nearby, barking, “No playing soccer here or you'll be sorry.” While the level of danger—and deprivation—these boys face may be unfamiliar to many American readers, the quick-moving soccer action, tension, and triumph over the common threat of bullies have near-universal appeal. Ages 6-10. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

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