Pistes d'exploration

Discuss what the soccer ball represents to the boys. How does the game of soccer help them in life? How are their streets different from ours and why do you think this is so?

Write a response to the story. Be sure to comment on the style of the writing (verse) and the meaning of soccer for the boys.

The hero received the ball as a prize for being the best reader in class. Do you think it is a good idea to award prizes for reading? Why or why not? Write your argument for or against and back up your ideas.

Discuss what soccer represents to the boys. How does the game of soccer help them in life? How are their streets different from ours and why do you think this is so?

Compare life in the book with your own life. Use a Venn diagram to express your results and share it with a partner.

Find words related to soccer in the book, then research additional soccer vocabulary. Create a poster that will explain them.

A Good Trade, The Road to Afghanistan, The Little Yellow Bottle, The Roses in My Carpets, Kenta and the Big Wave, Soccer Crazy

Mots-clés

Picture book , bullying , courage , friendship , poverty , soccer , South Africa

Commentaire descriptif

Between homework and chores, Adjani and his friends try to play in their hazardous ghetto streets with the prize he won at school: a real soccer ball. Brief but sophisticated language allows for readership of a wide age-range. The theme of balancing fear with joy, and worries with fun, is sure to engage readers with a broad scope of tastes. Soccer fans will love the play-by-play of the boys’ game. Others will enjoy it for its literary value: Magubani, faststeals the ball.Keto steals it backfakes a kick to the left.When we playwe forget to worry.When we runwe are not afraid. Vivid, realistic illustrations provide critical backstory; crumbling concrete buildings and ragged, dirty clothes contrast with the pristine soccer ball. Facial expressions flicker from tension, through dismay, to exultation when neighbourhood bullies are tricked into stealing an old plastic ball. Empowerment is the uplifting theme of this exciting book: “When we play together, we are unbeatable.” An author’s note offers background information on soccer and South Africa.