Goal! by Mina Javaherbin
Reviewed by: Chris Singer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mina Javaherbin is a new author and Goal! is her debut picture book. Born in Iran, she immigrated to the United States and currently lives in southern California. Besides being mom to two children, Ms. Javaherbin is also a practicing architect. About Goal!, the author says "Football is magic to me. Where there is a ball, there's hope, laughter, and strength."
ABOUT THE BOOK:
(This book is appropriate for children ages 6-10) Goal! is the story of Ajani and his group of soccer-loving friends who live in South Africa. Ajani earned a brand-new federation-size soccer ball for being the best reader in his class. For Ajani and his friends, once chores and homework are done, it's soccer time. However, the boys live in fear from the bullies in their unsafe neighborhood, and are worried about losing their new ball.
Despite their fears, the boys start playing soccer, while Badu goes to the rooftop to keep lookout for the bullies. The bullies come and the boys manage to hide their new ball from the bullies, who steal their old ball instead.
In the author's note at the end of the story, there is a quote describing the power of soccer in South Africa:
In South Africa, the people affectionately call their national football team Bafana Bafana, "the boys." Here in this alley, we join a group of friends as they embrace the spirit of soccer. They play to stay connected. They play to stay children. They play to stay human. But mostly, they play to play.
MY TAKE ON THE BOOK:
The game of soccer is known around the world as "the beautiful game." As a huge fan of soccer, I can find countless reasons to call it beautiful. However I really like how the author, Mina Javaherbin, describes soccer in her note on the inside of the back cover:
"Football is magic to me. Where there is a ball, there's hope, laughter, and strength."
This story has all of those above elements. In the group of boys playing soccer, those elements of hope, laughter, and strength are present in their friendships with each other and in their strength in facing up to the bullies.
Not only is this an enjoyable read, but it can also be a great book for discussing how sports can be used to unify a community and help them deal in difficult times. It can also be a good way to discuss how kids in other countries deal with adversity.
The story is also beautifully illustrated by A.G. Ford. The pictures are large and colorful oil paintings. Many of them are full spread action shots expressing the tensions of the story.
UPDATED 12/19/10:
I'm extremely pleased to share with you that GOAL! was named to the New York Public Library's Top 100 Children's Books to Read and Share for 2010 as well as the Smithsonian's 100 Notable Children's Books for 2010.
Congratulations to our good friend and one of our favorite children's book authors, Mina Javaherbin!!
sounds wonderful! thanks for this review! Love sport books.