Goof-Off Goalie

Gym Shorts #2

by Betty Hicks, Adam McCauley (Illustrations)

SOCCER DREAMS AND PLENTY OF ACTION this second book in the Gym Shorts series scores high with new readers. There's nothing Goose wants more than to play goalie for his soccer team. It looks like such fun – and so easy! – on TV. But to say Goose has a little trouble focusing is a bit of an understatement. Luckily, his friend Henry agrees to train him. Just as Goose starts to improve, Henry gets grounded for slipping grades. Can Goose make it to goalie? Can he help Henry who has helped him so much already?
Goof-Off Goalie is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Sports, Soccer

64 pages, Hardcover

First published May 27, 2008

About the author

Betty Hicks has drawn on her experience and love for sports in Gym Shorts, her new series for seven to ten year-olds. Growing up, Betty enjoyed everything: basketball, swimming, softball, horseback riding, field hockey, ice skating, tennis, skiing, and more. As an adult, she’s an avid fan of college basketball and the Olympic Games, and, an average fan of just about everything else you can think of.

In Gym Shorts, Betty welcomed the opportunity to provide younger readers with books about different types of athletics—basketball, soccer, swimming, baseball, track, tennis—you name it! But she especially wanted to write books that weren’t just about the wins and losses on game day. Friendships, fears, school, parents, pets, homework—all the things that weave their way into the lives of kids who play sports—are a crucial part of every story.

Betty has also put her own single and stepparent experiences to good use in five additional books for eight to twelve year-olds. Depicting funny, true-to-life family situations, Betty brings laughter and meaning to the experiences of growing up, not just in a divorced family, but in any family.

Betty has a BA in English and an MFA in the Study and Writing of Children’s Literature from Hollins University. She has published stories in Highlights and Pockets magazines, is a member of The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and has worked as a book reviewer for Children’s Literature.

She and her husband, Bill, live in Greensboro, North Carolina. She spends much of her non-writing time reading, traveling, playing golf, and pursuing her photography hobby. But her number one favorite pastime is hanging out with her five grandchildren. Not only do they bring her joy, they unknowingly give her exciting subjects and plots for every new book!

Reviews

[Kim Burean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for 2-4th or reluctant 5th grade readers. It has a good message, without being preachy. Sports nuts will love it, but it has appeal to anyone.

Goose likes being on the soccer team, but he hates all the running. He wishes that he could be the goalie because then he wouldn't have to work so hard. When the team's goalie moves, Goose tries out for the position, but fails. His friend, Henry, decides to put Goose on a strict training schedule to help him become a better goalie.

Goose realizes hard work is the only real way to get what you want. He also realizes what being a good friend is.

This was a fun, quick read with wide appeal.

[Pat Salvatini · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Gym Shorts series, Goose wishes to become the goalie for his soccer team. Unfortunately his lack of skill and tendency to daydream and goof off are not enough to win over his coach. Luckily, Goose has four friends that help him improve his skills. Goose learns that hard work not only helps you reach your goal, it makes you feel good about yourself. This easy to read book is perfect for those sport loving readers looking for a “real” chapter book but who aren’t quite ready yet for Matt Christopher.

[Kenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goose's humor and friends help him become a better goalkeeper and a more thoughtful person.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

3rd grade
Contemporary realistic fiction
This is a great book about motivation and determination! I would aim this more towards a male audience, but that is not to say it is only a book for boys. This story has a great moral to it and encourages persistence to reach an end goal, no matter what gender you are. I love that the main character received help from a variety of his friends, boys, and girls. I also love that this story shows loyalty to friendship and an achieved goal when the hard work is put in

[Amy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for 2nd/3rd grades. This is a great beginning chapter book about sports. The series is called Gym Shorts. This one is about a boy who wants to be a goalie because that means he doesn't have to run so much but he soon learns that being a goalie is harden then it looks. Finding sports books that are this level are really hard (especially if you don't want to use Matt Christopher books). This is a welcome edition to sports chapter books.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book for 2nd-3rd graders... short chapter book about Goose who wants to be goalie because he won't have to run as much. Funny thing is that in order to become goalie he has to work really hard and practice a lot. Teaches some great lessons without being preachy (importance of hard work, being a good friend, doing the right thing even when it's hard). This seems like it might be a great series for early readers who love sports.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

J Another from the Gym Shorts series, this easy to read book is about a soccer boy that wants to become the goalie on his team. His friends work with him towards that goal. Pleasant, some soccer "action."

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty funny!! i liked it. It was good for a first reader section book.

[Michelle]

younger readers

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great series issuing sport contexts to deal with real issues that the characters face.