Toward the Goal, Revised Edition: The Kaká Story

ZonderKidz Biography

by Jeremy V. Jones

'I learned that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not.' At the age of eight, Kaka already knew what he wanted in life: to play soccer and only soccer. He started playing in front of his friends and family, but after a crippling injury, doctors told him he would never play again. Through faith and perseverance Kaka recovered and has since become a FIFA World Player of the Year, and winner of the Ballon d'Or. This updated edition tells the story of the midfielder for Real Madrid who has become one of the most recognized faces on the soccer field.

Genres: Nonfiction, Football

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2010

About the author

Jeremy V. Jones is an award-winning journalist with 10 years of print and online magazine experience, who is currently a freelance writer and editor living in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

He is also an editor who writes at the intersection of faith, family, sports, and outdoor adventure for students and adults.

Reviews

[Alok Mishra]

Kaka is one of those players that I have admired since the time I began understanding football. This book by Jeremy might not be one of the best biographies of footballers but certainly one of the greatest books on Kaka! I would recommend this one to the admirers of Kaka's magic and Brazilian football.

[Caleb Chan]

It's a great biography. The story of the soccer star is inspiring and interesting. The author describes the games with awesome context and detail. It's a nice book with a lot of depth. I feel the title is highly appropriate and there are quotes which I find relevant to the story. All in all, it's a great, descriptive book that I enjoyed reading immensely.

[Ming Wei]

A very good footballer and a very good book

[James Zorden]

Kaka was a magician when he was on his prime. I watched him playing wherever he went either in Real Madrid, AC Milan or Orlando City. He was the best-attacking midfield player of all time. The book recalls his journey of how a boy of Brazil became the legend of football.

[Arjun]

A magician in the midfield. He has achieved everything in his career from prestigious world cup to UEFA champions league. He has won the FIFA best player award as well in 2007.
There are some really interesting stories presented in the book of legendary Kaka.

[Amanda]

Great story about an athlete that is successful and gives Jesus all the glory. He miraculously survived an accident that was most likely to paralyze him. Became one of the most successful soccer/futbol players.

[Matheo Maldonado]

Una buena biografía y se disfruta leyendo, pero la versión en español tiene muchos errores en la revisión, palabras mal escritas que dejan mucho que desear en un libro de publicación en masa.

[Silas]

I really liked it

[Goldin Library]

2014


Unfortunately only goes to 2014 so would have been great if there was an update saying a new chapter with new information on post 2014

[Luke]

Very good book

[BookMarc]

With the World Cup just around the corner it's no surprise that books about soccer are starting to be released. This one is aimed at tweens and young teens and the content reflects such. However, it might also make a decent read for those soccer moms not familiar with, but who have an interest in, Kaka or the World Cup in general.
As an adult who has followed soccer since I was knee high to a grasshopper I found this offering to be lacking depth. Kaka does not input in any way to this book and all his quotes are taken from secondary sources such as newspaper articles and magazine interviews. The book isn't just about Kaka either as the title would suggest. In fact there's as much content that is not about Kaka as there is content about him with frequent forays into such topics as past soccer players, the World Cup tournaments and the demographics of Brazil.
All in all I was a tad disappointed in this book but then again I am not of the demographic that this book is produced for and those of a younger age might well find it an enjoyable read. Add to that Kaka is a great on the field role model for youngsters (although many will find it odd that off the field at 19 years of age Kaka was dating a 15 year old girl. She has since become his wife.) and so is a good subject for this book.

[Rob Barron]

Not a classic of literature but a great simple read about one of the greatest players in football history and certainly one of the best role models. When you think of such great players as George Best, Gazza and Maradona who all set the world alight on the field but were truly awful role models off it, it's great to see someone who has always taken his responsibility seriously as a person for young teens to aspire to as a player and as a person.

You won't consider this a classic, you'll finish it in a day or two but you'll recognise what a class act Kaka is as a young man who inspires millions in the right way. Give it a read if you're a footie fan or just enjoy reading about people who are inspirational.

[Mandy J. Hoffman]

MY REVIEW:

This is the story of the great soccer player, Kaka. Any kid - probably 10 & up - who likes soccer will enjoy reading about this great player who also is a great testimony.

It's a great book, but I think it's hard to follow if you are not familiar with soccer. That said, the book is easy reading and has color pictures that help bring life to this amazing story.

* * * * *
This review copy was provided by Zonderkids.

[Margaret Chind]

I think that reading biographical books like this is so important for kids and they are growing and thinking about the future. Sometimes as we change, our bodies are not exactly what we want. Hearing stories like the Kaka story and others are so great to really inspire kids that anything is possible with Christ and perseverance.

*Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy for review through FIRST Wild Card Tours.*

[Abdulhakeem Hamza]

i

[Alex Ramirez]

Its was about the life of kaka growing up as a soccer player. He was the best player in his p.e. class so he went to a soccer school. He was hurt and a month passed and he got better.

[Karol]

Great book for tween Christian readers interested in soccer.

[Gayathri]

uninspired journalistic writing but the since it's about Kaká it's a 3 stars from me.
(sometimes Loyalty is tough)

[Josiah]

Great book even for not a huge soccer fan. Very Inspirational.