Goal!

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 illustrations are energetic and lush at times spread out over both pages showing the determination on the kids’ faces as they play. The alley that is their soccer field is also telling with the worn out buildings and complete lack of adult supervision. The encounter with the bullies can be read much deeper as the repression of so many in the war torn African continent and the over arching message that soccer unites is inspiring, “when we play together, we are unbeatable.” The author’s note at the end explains how important soccer has been in history and around the world. An uplifting sincere picture book.