Goal!

Book:  Goal! (Book Link)
Author: Mina Javaherbin (Author Link)
Illustrator: A. G. Ford (Illustrator Link)
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date of Publication: 2010
Genre: Picture Book, Diverse Protagonists
Lexile Score: AD480L
Citation: Javaherbin, M. (2010). Goal! Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Summary:  In the story Ajani and his friends set out to play a game of soccer with the new ball he had just got.  However whenever they would play soccer a group of bullies would always come and try to ruin their fun.  Since Ajani and his friends were using his new ball they drew sticks to determine which one of them would have to stand lookout on the roof.  Badu had first watch, but when the game got intense he got distracted which gave the bullies enough time to approach.  Ajani was able to hide his new ball just in time.  The bullies came and took their old ball, so the group of friends pretended to cry so the bullies thought they had won.  Once the bullies left they carried on with their game, and ended with the quote, "When we play together, we are unbeatable."

Audience:  I would say this book would be targeted at grades first through fourth.  The book has a great story line that I think multiple grade levels would be able to follow along with.  Students in these grades might also be able to relate to bullies trying to come and take something from them at recess, or another similar situation.  This book would be useful to address issues of bullying they might be seeing in the classroom, or at recess.  It would be a good tool to show that even though bullies think they win, they really don't.

Evaluation:  This picture book had the great theme of bullying.  It was clear to see that the bully doesn't win at the end of the story.  Since the boys have such a strong friendship they are able to work together to outsmart the bullies.  This book is also a great example of multicultural literature.  Since the book takes place in Africa, it would be a great text to use to introduce different cultures.  In the back of the book there was a section that says, "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."  It explains that no matter the hardships their country is going through they are able to stay kids by playing soccer.  This book could be used to connect current events to the classroom, this way the students are able to make connections to what is happening in the United States. 

Activity: 
Biggest vs. Little Event:  For this activity students will have to identify the Biggest event that  happens in the story, and explain why it was so big and impactful.  Then they will also have to identify the little-but-important event.  Where they will have to find an event that is still important but not as big, and why it is still important. Then they will have to figure out which of these events is the Most important event to the story.