The Winning Goal

Hey Jack! #3

by Sally Rippin, Stephanie Spartels (Illustrator)

One of a series full of down-to-earth, real-life, fun and funny stories that children can enjoy and relate to. With word art or illustrations on every second page, and no huge blocks of text or intimidating words, they're perfect for newly independent readers.

Genres: Childrens, Kids

43 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Sally Rippin was born in Darwin, but grew up mainly in South-East Asia. As a young adult she lived in China for three years, studying traditional Chinese painting. Sally has over seventy books published, many of them award-winning, including two novels for young adults. Her most recent work includes the highly acclaimed children’s novel Angel Creek and the popular Billie B Brown books, which became the highest selling series for 6-8 year olds in Australia within the first year of their release. Sally is Australia’s highest selling female author and her Billie B Brown books have sold more than 4.5 million copies in 14 languages.
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Sally is a popular presenter in schools and at literary festivals both in Australia and overseas and has a regular program on 3RRR interviewing children’s authors and industry professionals. She is a passionate ambassador for the 100 Story Building creative writing centre for marginalized youth and has mentored many emerging writers and illustrators. Recently, she and her partner co-founded Story Peddlers, a hand-made performance tent that packs away into a custom-built bike, with the aim of bringing back the art of the roving storyteller.

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack joins a soccer team where he really wants to kick a goal. His skills are better as a goalie and the coach puts him in goal. Jack is bored and let's a goal through but saves the next one and helps a team mate score whe he realizes the other goalie always jumps up when the ball comes to him.

Reality
simple early chapter book
Ages 5 +

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This easy chapter series for first and second graders is my grandson Jackson’s favorite.

[Kate McGinty aka Caryn Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack envisioned making a lot of goals during his very first soccer game, but his coach makes him goalie instead. Even though he's out of the action, Jack learns that goalies can still be team players.

This early reader is a nice introduction to teamwork and being a good sport. The focus on soccer is nice for sports fans. Although the text is very large, and the book weighs in at only 44 pages, it has fewer pictures and longer words than the average early reader, so it may be better for slightly more practiced students.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent design for beginning readers, clear writing, good character focus

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack is in a bouncy mood. He's wearing his new uniform. He's ready for his first day at soccer.
The coach lines all the boys up and throws the ball at them in turn. The coach says 'Great work Jack.'
Jack has been practising all week, passing, shooting goals and dribbling. He meets a new friend Jem.

Then the coach tells them where he wants them to play. Jack wants to kick a goal but the coach puts him in as goalie. His bouncy mood disappears. The game begins with Jack watching the play. He won't be able to kick a goal if he's in the goal, can he?

This is another gripping early reader in the 'Hey Jack' Series by Sally Rippin. This book explores how children feel and how they can come together to create teamwork.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute series for a first or second grade reader.

[Danica Midlil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben is really enjoying this series and it's the perfect level for a first grader to read and still enjoy the story! Thank you Sally Rippin!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story that is perfect for early readers with a message about being part of a team.

[Jennifer]

Jon rates this 5 stars. I don't have a rating because Jon read it out loud and changed the entire story.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack and his friend is on a soccer team and they must figure out how to win the game. This is an enjoyable series.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series and it's a perfect book to start kids on reading chapter books. The chapters are short but also the story is only three chapters long. My boys really love reading the book with me. The words are simple enough that they can understand and can prounce a lot of them on their own. But also that it has a great story-line. I love the part where they are focusing in on a feeling. Not your normal sad, mad, happy feeling but more intense feelings such as moochy. It's really neat to talk to my kids and talk about when they feel that feeling as well. I recommend checking out this book.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack is thrilled to be on the soccer team, but when his coach assigns him to play goalie, he is less than happy. After all, he wants to run around the field and kick goals himself. When his woolgathering causes the other team to score, he decides to stay as focused as possible so that won't happen again. This title would be great for the earliest readers since it contains simple but engaging text although the plot and outcome are very predictable.

[Spiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's awesome

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thinking about the target audience. This is a great book for children who are challenging themselves past the basic beginner readers.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 - Sally Rippin, “Hey Jack! The Winning Goal” (Richmond, Victoria, Aust: Hardie Grant Egmont, 2012).
“'We make a good team.'” (p41)