Theme: Soccer

Now Is The Time For Running

Just down the road from their families, Deo and his friends play soccer in the dusty fields of Zimbabwe, cheered on by Deo’s older brother, Innocent. It is a day like any other . . . until the soldiers arrive and Deo and Innocent are forced to run for their lives, fleeing the wreckage of [...]

Descriptors: Africa, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Realistic Fiction, South Africa, Young Adult (ages 14-18), Zimbabwe » Other Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

My First Soccer Book

This lively and information packed book is superb introduction to soccer and will excite readers hungry to develop their skills and knowledge. Perfect for any child who is a soccer enthusiast Covers all the information a young player needs, including basic skills such as passing, heading and shooting; tactics and techniques; rules and referees; and [...]

Descriptors: England (UK), Intermediate (ages 9-14), Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Hope For Haiti

A young boy finds hope when he is given an old soccer ball to play with in the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquake.

Descriptors: Caribbean, Early Years (ages 2-6), Haiti, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

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 [...]

Descriptors: Africa, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction, South Africa » Other Themes: , » 1 Comment

Young Pele: Soccer’s First Star

HOW DID A POOR BOY named Edson – who kicked rocks down roads and dribbled balls made from rags – go on to become the greatest soccer player of all time? While other kids memorized letters, Edson memorized the scores of soccer matches. And when Edson finally played in a youth soccer tournament in the [...]

Descriptors: Biography, Brazil, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Silent Music

Like other children living in Baghdad, Ali loves soccer, music and dancing, but most of all, he loves the ancient art of calligraphy. When bombs begin to fall on his city, Ali turns to his pen, writing sweeping and gliding words to the silent music that drowns out the war all around him.

Descriptors: Iraq, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Keeper

An enthralling story of a poor and gawky kid who mysteriously becomes the world’s greatest goalkeeper — a seamless blend of magic realism and exhilarating soccer action.”And you found it, this thing you were looking for?”It was darker now, and the city below Faustino’s office was a jazzy dance of neon signs and traffic. The [...]

Descriptors: Database » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Composition

In a village in Chile, Pedro and Daniel are two typical nine-year-old boys. Up until Daniel’s father gets arrested, their biggest worry had been how to improve their soccer skills. Now, they are thrust into a situation where they must grapple with the incomprehensible: dictatorship and its inherent abuses. This sensitively realized story touches a [...]

Descriptors: Chile, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Latin America, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Babu’s Song

Bernardi lives with his mute grandfather, Babu, who supports them by making toys. Bernardi wishes he could go to school, but they can’t afford it. When a tourist offers a handsome price for the music box Babu gave him as a present, Bernardi regretfully sells it, giving the money to Babu. Babu uses the money [...]

Descriptors: Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction, Tanzania » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Dani Bennoni

In Belgium in the summer of 1939, with his brother serving in the military, ten-year-old Bing asks his older neighbor, Dani, to repay a debt by teaching him to play soccer, but Dani refuses and sets Bing and his friend Lenny on a course for revenge.

Descriptors: Belgium, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Other Themes: , » Leave a comment