Javaherbin, M. (2010). Goal.
Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
Exposition: The story begins as
Ajani and a group of his friends set out to play football (soccer) with a new
federation-size football in the dangerous streets of a South African town.
Conflict: The streets in the
town are unsafe and filled with crews of bullies that threaten to ruin the
boys’ football game.
Rising Action: One boy stands guard from a rooftop while the other boys
become very engrossed in their game; as Ajani scores a “goal” by kicking the
ball at a bucket, the boys look up to find that a group of bullies on bicycles
has joined them.
Climax: Ajani and his friends fear that the bullies will discover
his new football, so they tilt the bucket in order to hide it from view; but when
one of the bullies places Ajani’s old ball on top of the bucket and then
snatches it back, the bucket wobbles, causing Ajani's heart to sink.
Falling Action: The bucket slowly comes to a stop, and the bullies never
know there is a new ball, so they take Ajani’s old ball and ride off on their
rickety bikes, mocking the boys as they depart.
Resolution: They boys have a
“do-over” and start their football game again, and after Ajani scores another
goal, he recounts that even though the streets are unsafe, when they are
playing together, they are unbeatable.
Was this a well illustrated book? Goal! is a beautifully illustrated book. A.G. Ford skillfully captures the essence of
the dirty streets and tattered shanty homes of the South African town by using
dark, dusty tones. These colors are
offset, however, by the crystal blue skies which are evident when the boys are
playing football and are obviously a direct reflection of their feelings toward
the game.
