Games bring people together. Soccer is no different. Goal, which is written by Mina Javaherbin and illustrated by A.G. Ford, is a story about a group of South African boys who come together to enjoy a pick-up game of soccer despite a group of bullies who try to steal their brand-new, federation-size soccer ball.
Readers can feel the tension in the story mount page after page because Ajani, the main character, and his friends are constantly checking to the left and to the right to make sure the coast is clear. In fact, Ajani and his friends, who are the kinds of kids you’d want in your class, know the streets are so unsafe that they draw sticks to figure out who will stand on-guard looking out for the bullies while the rest of them play. However, despite being careful and looking out for bullies, the bullies come to disrupt the game.
Goal is the kind of story you should share with your class if you’re noticing domination during games or at recess. Additionally, if you have students who are writing about being bullied during recreational times, then this is the kind of mentor text you should put in front of them since it’s written in the first person. Ajani has a strong narrator’s voice, which will hopefully help young writer who has been bullied find his/her voice as s/he seeks to get his/her story on paper.
Here are two pages with interactions between Ajani, his friends, and the bullies. Click on each image to enlarge.
NOTES:
- Thanks to Candlewick Press for agreeing to sponsor a giveaway of Goal!
- To win a copy of the book please leave a comment about this post, in the comments section of this post by Thursday, November 18th by 11:59 p.m. EST A random drawing will take place on Tuesday, November 23rd and the winner’s name will be announced in a blog post later that day.
- Please be sure to leave a valid e-mail address when you post your comment (Your e-mail address will not be published online.) so I can contact you to obtain your mailing address. Once I receive your mailing address, I’ll pass it along to my contact in the marketing department at Candlewick Press who will ship a copy of the book out to the winner.
Discover more from TWO WRITING TEACHERS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Love it! Great book for anti-bullying week!
LikeLike
I appreciate the universality of theme…showing students that this kind of things happens to kids everywhere. I’m excited to read the full text and share it with some of the 4th and 5th grade teachers on my campus. Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
Another good title to add to the list. thanks
LikeLike
Well, the sad thing is that every post before mine acknowledges that this is an issue that needs to be addressed across grade levels and all year long. Bullying takes so many forms – and kids always say “they say we need to tell an adult – but then that adult does nothing!” Books such as “Goal!” are so important for us to read and discuss with our kids…but then we need to turn to ourselves as teachers and administrators and ask “so what actions do we take when we see this going on?” I fear that’s the part that gets left out…
LikeLike
This book would work in my classroom for several reasons. I have several children that like soccer, yet I have a hard time finding soccer books. Also in writing we are focusing on personal narratives. And the pictures are beautiful!
LikeLike
I appreciate being able to view this text on the website. I am always in search of good quality mentor texts to illustrate lessons in my classroom. Goal appears to offer material for the concept of bullying and excellent material to illustrate author’s craft.
I lived many years in South Africa and know just how hard it would be for a local boy to give up his precious soccer ball. I teach in the US now and everday I see the same arguments about soccer balls on my playground. So the theme is universal! Bullying is on everyone’s mind these days as the media sensationalizes so many stories, it is wonderful to be able to read one that has depth and reach.
LikeLike
What a fantastic mentor text! This would be a great text to share during a mini lesson, then carry the topic and conversation over into a weekly class meeting.
LikeLike
This looks like a great soccer book. I am only realizing the unifying ability of playing soccer. A month ago my seven year old son lost his eyesight to hydrocephalas (sp). One day he could see and the next day he was blind. One of my thoughts during this time was how could I tell my child he would never play soccer again. I’m glad I chose not to tell him. I know know that there are blind soccer groups that play with a soccer ball that rattles as it rolls. He could even play soccer on a regular league with a couple modifications. Who knew.
Anyway, it would sure be nice to use this book as a way to encourage donation of soccer balls to children in other countries. My son’s elementary school would love that idea.
Additionally, it discusses overwhelming issue of bullying. We have been trying to find books that talk about the issue but are engaging to students. This book likes great on all fronts. Thanks for the suggestion.
LikeLike
This seems like a useful book to address the issue of bullying. I also like the multicultural aspect. It helps to show that kids all over face similar challenges.
LikeLike
This looks thoughtful and well written. A sensitive topic for a sensitive time.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for this book recommendation. It is so timely and so perfect for what we are experiencing as teachers and parents. Any way we can help our children without “having that discussion” but rather by sharing a piece of great literature and eliciting discussion or inspiring writing is a much more effective and constructive way! Thanks again!
LikeLike
I am excited to try out this book. Bullying has become an issue of utmost concern across all the grade levels, and especially in my fourth grade classroom. I am looking for any and all ways to bring ideas into important discussions about this topic, and I think this book might really help the students, especially the boys, to open up because they are huge soccer fans. Thank you!!
LikeLike
I just spoke to my class today about being a community & respecting each other. Our schedule don’s have much time for a morning meeting & I squeeze in as much Responsive Classroom as I can during the day, but with all of the non-sharing & pushing during recess we need some help. Goal would be great to read to the class since over half of my class play on soccer teams.
LikeLike
Another great recommendation! Thank you for finding this list of resources for us! I wish I had more time (and money) to look for themes such as this bullying series.
LikeLike
Thank you for this review – I think my class will enjoy this book!
LikeLike
My school is also looking at beginning a bullying prevention program. This book looks like it could be a catalyst for a great discussion. I especially like that it is written in the first person.
LikeLike
Thanks for keeping us informed on great books.
LikeLike
Thank you for the review! Looks like a great book. One of my favorite things about books is the way they act as a gateway or catalyst for discussion about difficult topics.
LikeLike
Thank you for the review. I enjoy learning about new books that will open discussions in the classroom. Thanks again.
LikeLike
Thanks for the review- I am always looking for a read aloud that leads into collaborative reasoning. I used Not My Fault recently and it led to a fabulous discusion, much like this would.
LikeLike
Thank you for the book recommendation. It is becoming evident every day that our children are being exposed to bullying more and more. Our classrooms and schools are now becoming places were we not only teach academics, but how to get along with others. It is refreshing to know that there are writers who are able to share their writing on this subject.
LikeLike
What a great story! We started the Olweus Bullying prevention program at my school 2-3 years ago. We are always looking for great books that students can connect to.
LikeLike
It’s interesting that you mention about bullying incidents during play at recess. Unfortunately, I think this is more common than not in schools although as teachers we don’t always hear about them. What did resonate with me is your comment about children writing about it. I have this in my class this year whereas I don’t remember this happening in the past. I’m glad the writing is going on since writing is a good way to work out a real live story and one’s emotions connected to it. Thanks for the book recommendation.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for sharing, it is great to find beautiful books that mirror many of the things happening in our classrooms, and allows the students not only to connect but also provides an avenue for discussion!
LikeLike