"Goal!" by Mina Javaherbin, Illustrated by A.G. Ford

Image Courtesy of: http://minajavaherbin.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/goal_lg-258x300.jpg

Bibliographic Citation

Title: Goal!

Author: Mina Javaherbin

Illustrator: A.G. Ford

Year of Publication: 2010

Publisher City: Somerville

Publisher: Candlewick Press

ISBN: 9780763675717

Author Website: http://minajavaherbin.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.agfordillustration.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Oil Paint

Copyright 2010/2011

Awards

·         International Reading Association’s Notable Book for a Global Society List, 2011

·         Bank Street Library Irma Black Award Semi-Finalist 2010-2011

·         California Young Reader Nominee, 2011-2012

·         Texas Library Association’s Bluebonnet Award Master List 2011-2012

·         Smithsonian’s Notable Books for Children, 2010

Annotation

In South Africa a boy has received a regulation soccer ball for being the best reader in class and wants to share the prize with his friends. They bond over the game, even with the threat of bullies.

Personal Reaction

                This is a good story that shows the importance of friendship.  The boys in the story bond over the game of soccer.  They even work together to fend off the bullies that want to steal their new regulation soccer ball.

                Older readers will enjoy this book for its subtleness.  Though it is never directly stated it is clear through the illustrations that the characters in the story must endure a great deal of poverty.  The boys’ clothes are a little more worn, with stains and tears.  The buildings are also shabby.  But things like that are ignored in the text because the focus is on the joy of playing soccer.  And above all the gift of a new soccer ball is all the more important.

                This picture book would be good to show the universal nature of children, even when they live in a range of environments (location, financial, etc.).    Things like a game of soccer in the middle of the street is something every child could relate to.  This book teaches that every child is the same, no matter what his or her circumstances are.

Use of Metaphor:
“When we play,

the sound

of our kicks

on the ball

is music.”

Use of Onomatopoeia:
“I steal from Hassan

and whoosh like the wind,

glued to the ball.”

Use of Repetition:

“Left is clear.

Right is clear.”