Paulo Marcelo Feliciano has dreams of being a famous soccer player one day. For now, he practices hard with his team and little sister. Today his mother has left enough cheese buns for him to give to all of his teammates. After dropping his sister off at school, he brings the cheesy treats to each of his friends, who all have unique jobs around the city. Eventually he has to go to work himself, helping Senhor da Silva fish. At the end of a long day it's finally time for soccer practice! Paulo's little sister is constantly begging to play soccer with her older brother, but is consistently told that no girls are allowed on their team. A few minutes into the game their goalie injures his wrist and Paulo votes to let his sister take his place. Maria jumps in and stuns everyone with her amazing playing, showing them all that girls can play soccer too!
For me, the illustrations were the best part of this book. They were so big and descriptive, perfectly bringing the story to life. They were exactly what I would have pictured in my mind had they not been there. ( )

An honest, inspiring, realistic story handsomely illustrated. ( )

This book is an excellent addition to an elementary classroom. It includes elements such as diversity, different cultures, hard work, and a female protagonist that are important and unique additions. In addition it's about soccer, and a soccer game which is interesting to many young readers. Taking place in Brazil, readers are exposed to a different setting and way of life, and readers are exposed to a different team dynamic when Paulo's sister scores the winning goal. ( )

Soccer Star is a motivational read for any young student who dreams to so something and be called a star one day. It also gives children a view into another young persons life you may live a little differently then they are used to. Paulo works during the day to help his mom and sister and has big dreams of being a soccer star one day. Paulo has a different life than most student's would know but he still studies, practices, and dreams big. I think there are many lesson students could learn from reading about Paulo and his story.
Paulo is from Brazil so maybe when doing a geography lesson this would be a fun interdisciplinary study to add to the lesson. When studying about Brazil, where it is, and their culture this book would give them illustrated images of the land and a personal story. It would enrich the study of Brazil for them. ( )

This book is about a young boy in Brazil and the members of his soccer team,and his little sister. The author's note mentions how the poverty is so rampant in Brazil and often times soccer is one of the only ways children can escape it. This books shows children working and in poverty, but not in a depressingly depicted way. I love that his sister is in school and helping her older brother learn too. I also loved that she was the one who scored the winning goal even though the boys had been saying, "No girls on the team!" Nice book. Would be good to talk about how even nice people can have exclusionary ideas (sexist, racist, etc) and because they were never taught any better.
Reading Level: 2.2 Interest Level: K-3 ( )