Soccer Is My Life
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-- School Library Journal, 6/18/2008 12:27:00 PM
If you’ve ever observed a bunch of first graders playing soccer, you've had the privilege of seeing some truly dysfunctional organizational behavior—either everyone is trying to kick the ball, or no one wants to touch it! In the following titles, even the fans get involved in the game, for better or worse. Check out the U.S. Soccer Foundation's 2nd Annual Passback Tour, a series of skills clinics for urban youth across the country. View photos from past events and see if one is coming to your area.
ELLIOT, Laura. Hunter & Stripe and the Soccer Showdown. illus. by Lynn Munsinger. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-052759-4; PLB $16.89. ISBN 978-0-06-052760-0.
K-Gr 4–When two raccoon best friends are placed on different soccer teams, it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal–until they face off against each other and have a falling-out. Hunter’s big sister wisely counsels him to forget about winning, and to just have fun and do the best he can, which turns out to be very good advice. Munsinger brings humor and light to the story with her pencil and watercolor illustrations.
FINCHLER, Judy. You’re a Good Sport, Miss Malarkey. illus. by Kevin O’Malley. Walker. 2002. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8027-8815-3; RTE $16.85. ISBN 978-0-8027-8816-0.
K-Gr 3–Silly Miss Malarkey! When she signs on to be the soccer coach for the newly formed school team, she thinks it is about learning the game, exercise, and good fun. Didn’t anyone tell her it is important to win? A principal looking for a grudge match, parents coaching from the sidelines, and out-of-control fans lead to the cancellation of a game. Smart Miss Malarkey–she comes up with just the right remedy.
GIKOW, Louise. The Big Game. illus. by Phil Garner. Children’s Press. 2004. PLB $18.50. ISBN 978-0-516-24408-2; pap. $3.95. ISBN 978-0-516-25500-2.
PreS-Gr 1–Little soccer fans will get a big kick out of this short, simple story about José and his special ability on the soccer field. An opening note identifies the words used in the story so that readers will learn to recognize them and eventually be able to read the book on their own. Garner’s brightly colored illustrations reflect the fun and joy of José’s team.
HAMM, Mia. Winners Never Quit! illus. by Carol Thompson. HarperCollins. 2004. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-074050-4; PLB $16.89. ISBN 978-0-06-074051-1; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-06-074052-8.
PreS-Gr 2–Young Mia loves soccer, but hates losing. It takes some sibling tough love for her to realize that learning how to win and lose is part of the game. Young soccer-star wannabes should keep the messages in this book in mind before they step onto the field–play hard, play fair, and have fun. A short photo-essay of Hamm is included in the appendix.
MAMMANO, Julie. Rhinos Who Play Soccer. illus. by author. Chronicle. 2001. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-0-8118-2779-9.
PreS-Gr 2–Mammano’s sports franchise is pure gold. It doesn’t matter what activity the rhinos are involved in–it is always fun and full of good sportsmanship. Each illustration depicts the fun and challenges of soccer, and even when the rhinos lose, everyone has a good time. A brief glossary of soccer terms is included.
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