Goal! by Mina Javaherbin

No one likes to be bullied, including Ajani and his football (soccer) buddies in South Africa. Mina Javaherbin's story is one in which children all across the globe can relate. Ajani and his friends live in poverty. Their homes are shanties. Their street is unsafe. They have little time to play between school and daily chores. But when they do find time to play, they find escape and hope in a simple game of football. They know the bullies will come again and try to take their ball. But for today they have outsmarted the bullies. Today there will be kicking, running, scoring and laughter.
     This 2010 large picture book is a winner not only for it's high interest level, but for the gentle yet realistic way of handling difficult issues like poverty and bullying  for young readers. A.G. Ford's illustrations are full of color and energy while also showing a range of emotions throughout the story.
     Literature Connections: K-5, Language Arts, Guidance, Geography, Social Studies, Physical Educaiton: Goal! would make a great discussion starter for poverty and global citizenship as well as character traits and life skills such as perseverance, overcoming obstacles and dealing with bullies.This book would be an excellent choice for a language arts mini lesson on conflict and resolution. The author's notes at the end of the book would make a great physical education tie-in about the history of football/ soccer.

All Star! Honus Wagner and the Most Famous Baseball Card Ever

Title: All Star! Honus Wagner and the Most Famous Baseball Card Ever
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Jim Burke
Publisher / Date: Penguin Group / 2010
Genre: biography, picture book
Themes: baseball, biography, sports
Summary: Yolen tells the story of Honus Wagner, whose family was from Germany. Wagner grew up poor and worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines. Wagner's amazing athletic ability eventually landed him a career in major league baseball in the early 1900's, winning the National League batting championship for 8 years. He even had his own baseball card which was then placed in cigarette containers. Since Wagner did not want children buying cigarettes in order to obtain his baseball card, he asked that his card be removed. Since the cards were pulled, only a few were sold and have become the most famous and most expensive baseball cards ever. Yolen notes that one of these rare Wagner cards sold at an auction in 2007 for nearly three million dollars. 
Curriculum Connections: Grades 2-5 Social Studies: famous Americans; Math (calculate how much Wagner earned per year and compare that to MLB players' salaries today; compare Wagner's stats with other famous baseball players)
Notes: Baseball fans are sure to love this biography!