It's almost World Cup time! This year, there's a lot going on in the U.S., and one of these is the exciting soccer tournament. While I'm not a huge soccer/sports fan (can I admit that?), after living in Europe for 20+ years, it does sink into the blood a little bit. Yes, I even have a vuvuzela at hand to celebrate my favorite wins.
What better way to introduce the month than with a few soccer reads? Today's is the second in a sports series, and while I haven't seen the first, I doubt that will be a problem. I'm hoping it won't be dry and let's the excitement of the game come across right along with the facts.
So, let's dive in and see how this one plays!
THE SOCCER GOAT: MBAPPE V. HAALAND
by Matt Oldfield
Illustrated by Seth Burkett
Candlewick Press
Middle Grade Sports
160 pages
ages 8 to 12
Book two in this series from best-selling author Matt Oldfield and Seth Burkett, a former professional soccer player, tackles the question that every soccer fan wants Who is the GOAT?
Each book pits two of the biggest and best players in the world head-to-head in a battle for the crown—this time, it’s the superstar clash of Kylian Mbappé vs Erling Haaland. Action-packed and full of detailed facts, trivia, stats and funny illustrations, this collectible new series is perfect for longtime soccer fans and those new to the sport.
Each book pits two of the biggest and best players in the world head-to-head in a battle for the crown—this time, it’s the superstar clash of Kylian Mbappé vs Erling Haaland. Action-packed and full of detailed facts, trivia, stats and funny illustrations, this collectible new series is perfect for longtime soccer fans and those new to the sport.
MY TIDBITS
It's time to see who the true soccer G.O.A.T. is, and this book does a deep dive to compare two players carefully.
Starting with a definition of what a G.O.A.T. is, these pages then define the four categories used to make this determination. To give each of the two players a score in each category, time is spent to carefully lay out each ones past, achievements, personality, and more. So, readers will have a very good handle on each of the players and know a lot about them by the end of this read.
To keep this from getting dry, there are sections in texting format, where the two authors go back and forth as to which of the two players is the G.O.A.T. and why. This adds a bit of humor and a very natural flow to connect with the reader. But then, the facts themselves are presented in a easy-flow text, which keeps things interesting. There are enjoyable illustrations of the players throughout, charts, graphs, and even some more whimsical sketches tossed in. Then, there are boxes of information tossed in with a hint of fun. There's enough change-up to keep the information from becoming paragraph after paragraph, and this creates a more relaxed atmosphere, which is easy to enjoy.
Soccer fans are sure to enjoy this one quite a bit, and those who aren't quite as familiar with the sport or into it, will have no problem understand what is going on and will learn more about the sport and these two players.
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