It’s always a treat when part of our extended Brown Bookshelf family has a guest post. Thank you to our friend, award-winning author and educator Torrey Maldonado for this wonderful selection of books that celebrate soccer.
By Torrey Maldonado
It’s World Cup time! Soccer unites, it takes a team, people are electrified, underdogs are rooted for, leaders lead, we have our favorites, loss
and winning and more happens. Here’s a book list with that soccer magic and then some. These soccer reads by Black authors and illustrators are guaranteed to pay off for readers and help us feel as if we’re scoring life goals. What is soccer without a team effort, right? So I got experts in the field of Kid Lit into the game. Here are their suggestions including recommendations from Texas school librarian Rachael Welsh, Ohio school librarian Beth Parmer, Illinois school librarian Lori A. Martin and The Brown Bookshelf’s own Kelly Starling Lyons.
Just Right by Torrey Maldonado
Toby’s mom always says there are people that make you feel just right. And while his dad can be hard to please, it’s a different story with his amazing uncle. Uncle showers Toby with smiles, hugs, and kind words, and his garage is like a second home to Toby and after they play soccer! Yes, Toby can always count on Uncle to step up and score and make him feel just right. [ages: 4 – 8; grades: preschool – 3rd grade]
World Soccer Kings by Charles, Smith Jr. (series)
An exuberant collection of poems about soccer stars around the world crackles with Charles R. Smith’s
indomitable wordplay, matched by graphic, dynamic photos of the players in action. [ages 7-10]
Booked by Kwame Alexander
In this electrifying follow-up to Kwame Alexander’s Newbery winner The Crossover, soccer, family, love, and friendship tak
e center stage. A New York Times bestseller and National Book Award Longlist nominee, now in a graphic novel edition featuring art from Dawud Anyabwile. [ages: 10-12]
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST FANTASY AND YOUNG ADULT BOOKS OF ALL TIME • A young Nigerian girl discovers her extraordinary destiny in this heart-pounding tale of finding one’s place in the world. [grades: 7-9]
The Field by Baptiste Paul
The world’s most popular and inclusive sport has found its spirited and authentic voice in Baptiste Paul’s picture book— highlighting the joys of the game along with its universal themes: teamwork, leadership, diversity, and acceptance. Illustrations by children’s book illustrator Jacqueline Alcántara capture the grit and glory of the game and the beauty of the island setting that inspired this field. [ages: 2 – 6]
Goal! Illustrated 
by A.G. Ford
In a dusty township in South Africa, Ajani and his friends have earned a brand-new, federation-size soccer ball. They kick. They dribble. They run. They score. These clever boys are football champions! But when a crew of bullies tries to steal their ball, will Ajani and his friends be able to beat them at their own game? [ages: 6-9 years]
Young Pele: Soccer’s First Star by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome
How did a poor boy named Edson—who kicked rocks down roads and dribbled balls made from rags—go on to become the greatest soccer player of all time? Here is the story of the boy who with great determination, lightning speed, and amazing skill overca
me tremendous odds to become the world champion soccer star Pelé. The team Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome bring an inspirational story vibrantly to life. The theme of this Dragonfly Book is Sports. [ages: 4-8]
Soccer Monster Teaches Basic Skills by Alex Kajumulo
This book will also teach parents valuable information about soccer skills that will allow them to practice with their children and support the young athlete’s development in soccer. Soccer Monster Teaches Basic Skills was
written at a grade school level for easy listening and clear instruction. In addition, Soccer Monster sends a strong message of inclusion everyone can play: boys and girls. [ages: 4 – up]
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah – Illustrated by Sean Qualls
An inspiring true story—turned into a film, narrated by Oprah Winfrey—about a boy born in Ghana, West Africa, 
with a deformity & dismissed by most people, but his mother taught him to reach for his dreams. Read as Emmanuel learns to play soccer that takes him on astonishing journey, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Qualls’s bold collage illustrations offer a powerful celebration of triumph over adversity. [ages: 5-9]