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The Keeper: The Unguarded Story of Tim Howard Young Readers' Edition
The uplifting memoir of U.S. national soccer team goalkeeper Tim Howard, adapted for young readers and now in paperback. In this heartwarming and candid account, Tim Howard opens up about how a hyperactive kid from New Jersey with Tourette Syndrome defied the odds to become one of the world's premier goalkeepers. Tim shares his remarkable journey in an accessible way that will speak to soccer fans, kids struggling with issues that make them feel "different," and any young person looking for a compelling autobiography to read for a report or just for fun. After a successful seventeen-year professional soccer career, Tim became an overnight star during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. His heroic performance in the game for the United States against Belgium, in which he saved an astonishing fifteen shots—the most for any goalkeeper in a World Cup game—made him a household name as well as a trending internet meme. In the course of 120 minutes, Tim went from a player known mainly by soccer fans to an American icon, loved by millions for his dependability, daring, and humility. The book includes a glossary and a full-color insert.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2015
9 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 29, 2016
I thought that this book was great. I thought this because it had a full overview of Tim's life. It told you about everything. My favorite parts were when he signed with all of his new and exciting clubs. I liked how when it told you about games and when they went into P.K.s it hesitated and if it was a save by Tim or a goal by his team it hesitated and when they scored or saved it, it was exciting. I really thought this book was great because this about a soccer stars lifetime and my favorite sport is soccer so I really enjoyed it.
February 9, 2025
Excellent read. Very interesting to read about Howard’s life so far and to see how he reacted and reacts to having Tourette’s Syndome. I have many side symptoms but not TS. He describes many games he played in especially with the USNMT, games I watched. There are many reasons to read this book. One is that I think it made me better.
May 18, 2016
The Keeper: The Unguarded Story of Tim Howard Young Readers' Edition
The Keeper is an autobiography of Tim Howard, the American goalkeeper who is the U.S national team and Everton Football club in England. Tim Howard tells about his
Childhood in New Jersey and growing up with a Tourette Syndrome, how he got to the national team, and what being a professional Goalkeeper is like, and what pressure you face.
This was one of the best biographies I have ever read, it is 100% non fiction because it is an autobiography, perfect for biography book reports, and a fun and inspiring tale from childhood to World cup game U.S vs Belgium in a game where he had 15 saves.
The Keeper is an autobiography of Tim Howard, the American goalkeeper who is the U.S national team and Everton Football club in England. Tim Howard tells about his
Childhood in New Jersey and growing up with a Tourette Syndrome, how he got to the national team, and what being a professional Goalkeeper is like, and what pressure you face.
This was one of the best biographies I have ever read, it is 100% non fiction because it is an autobiography, perfect for biography book reports, and a fun and inspiring tale from childhood to World cup game U.S vs Belgium in a game where he had 15 saves.
March 29, 2016
Very good biography of one of the best USMNT players in history, Tim tells how playing professional football does have a tax and does require effort, he put this effort forward and is now considered one of the best "World Cup" players in history.
October 18, 2019
The book was good and I play soccer and as a goalie, it gave me some tips
December 18, 2017
The Keeper: The Unguarded Story of Tim Howard is a memoir of Tim Howard, the keeper of the United States Men’s Soccer Team.
This book is about the life of Tim Howard. Tim Howard was born in North Brunswick, New Jersey. When Tim was a child it was discovered that he had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Tourette Syndrome. When something was out of order, he would be very nervous until it was in the right order. Playing soccer was his way to get distracted by that thing. He also has the need to twitch and clear his throat. He did not know for a long time why he had these behaviors. Tim did not grow up with a lot of money, so going to school and paying for soccer was difficult for his family.
When Tim was a teenager he took a training with a coach from England with the little extra money his mother could get. The coach offered his mother to train Tim with no charge. The coach saw potential in Tim, and after weeks of training nonstop, Tim was offered to play with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. Seasons into the MetroStars Tim was offered to play at Manchester United. Later he was transferred to Everton.
Overall I liked this book. The life of Tim Howard is very interesting. He accomplished a lot facing many challenges. I liked this book because what the author wrote came from his own personal experiences. His life beyond soccer included him in helping kids with Tourette syndrome. He does fund raises and spends time talking to kids who also have Tourette syndrome about how he dealt with it.
The literature in this book is intended for younger readers, there is no complicated words or phrases. The author is qualified to write about this topic because the things in the book are things that the author himself experienced in his growing up and his professional goalkeeper life.
Tim inspired me in the way that a person that has these conditions can still make it into the professional level of soccer. I would recommend this book to anyone because the courage and perseverance that Tim showed can inspire the people who read the book that face their own challenges in their life.
This book is about the life of Tim Howard. Tim Howard was born in North Brunswick, New Jersey. When Tim was a child it was discovered that he had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Tourette Syndrome. When something was out of order, he would be very nervous until it was in the right order. Playing soccer was his way to get distracted by that thing. He also has the need to twitch and clear his throat. He did not know for a long time why he had these behaviors. Tim did not grow up with a lot of money, so going to school and paying for soccer was difficult for his family.
When Tim was a teenager he took a training with a coach from England with the little extra money his mother could get. The coach offered his mother to train Tim with no charge. The coach saw potential in Tim, and after weeks of training nonstop, Tim was offered to play with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. Seasons into the MetroStars Tim was offered to play at Manchester United. Later he was transferred to Everton.
Overall I liked this book. The life of Tim Howard is very interesting. He accomplished a lot facing many challenges. I liked this book because what the author wrote came from his own personal experiences. His life beyond soccer included him in helping kids with Tourette syndrome. He does fund raises and spends time talking to kids who also have Tourette syndrome about how he dealt with it.
The literature in this book is intended for younger readers, there is no complicated words or phrases. The author is qualified to write about this topic because the things in the book are things that the author himself experienced in his growing up and his professional goalkeeper life.
Tim inspired me in the way that a person that has these conditions can still make it into the professional level of soccer. I would recommend this book to anyone because the courage and perseverance that Tim showed can inspire the people who read the book that face their own challenges in their life.
June 20, 2023
I'm not the intended audience, but I loved this quick read that recapped Tim's considerable career on the pitch as well as some of his biggest obstacles along the way. I love that it was written in a style and tone that sounds like Tim and engages young readers with the important themes of family, perseverance, big dreams, and community support. Kudos to Ali Benjamin who wrote with Tim. Though the timeline is based in his soccer life, the milestones Tim achieves as a person with Tourette Syndrome are equally important and just as deftly conveyed. I work with kids with special needs of all sorts and his description of what's happening in his brain and from his viewpoint is elegant and sugarcoats nothing. Not to mention a truly reasonable explanation of how and why it can be awesome to be a goalie (I mean, is there a more nerve-wracking position? Just ask his mom). I'm a huge soccer fan, but even a neophyte will be inspired by so many facets of Tim's story.
March 6, 2019
This book is a must for young soccer fans. Tim Howard is one of the outstanding players who has helped bring American soccer onto the world stage. The truly amazing part of his story is that he has Tourette's Syndrome. That didn't stop him from becoming one of the best goalkeepers in history. In fact, his symptoms disappear when he is intently focused on the game.
The book talks about his upbringing, his close relationship with his mom and brother, his own children and, of course, pages and pages of the soccer games that defined in his career. It's uplifting, especially because he has made it a priority to help other kids who suffer from the stigma of Tourette's.
A quote from the book about a game that excited fans more than it did him.
"In the end, maybe the game of your life simply means the one that most inspires other people."
The book talks about his upbringing, his close relationship with his mom and brother, his own children and, of course, pages and pages of the soccer games that defined in his career. It's uplifting, especially because he has made it a priority to help other kids who suffer from the stigma of Tourette's.
A quote from the book about a game that excited fans more than it did him.
"In the end, maybe the game of your life simply means the one that most inspires other people."
September 29, 2017
When you read this book about how Tim Howard became a star it will blow you away.
Despite Tim Howard's T.S. he becomes one of the world best keepers. TIm tries to hide his T.S. but his mom shortly notices it.
I loved that this book talks about soccer and how Tim Howard becomes a star. Playing with the greats like Leo Messi, Ronaldo, Clint Mathis, David Beckham, and Landon Donovan. What i didn't like as much is how people reacted to Tim's T.S.
I would recommend this book to people who like soccer and who aren't into reading like me.
Despite Tim Howard's T.S. he becomes one of the world best keepers. TIm tries to hide his T.S. but his mom shortly notices it.
I loved that this book talks about soccer and how Tim Howard becomes a star. Playing with the greats like Leo Messi, Ronaldo, Clint Mathis, David Beckham, and Landon Donovan. What i didn't like as much is how people reacted to Tim's T.S.
I would recommend this book to people who like soccer and who aren't into reading like me.
March 17, 2024
Light and enjoyable reading for anyone who enjoys US soccer. Lots about Tim I didn't know, particularly, from his early family situation (his mother escaped communism in the dead of night as a child, giving Tim a profound gratitude for freedom and his country) to his OCD struggles (many will already be aware of his Tourette Syndrome) to the pressures of playing under Sir Alex Ferguson.
October 3, 2018
I think it was a great non fiction book that really showed many emotions. From reading about my favorite sport, to reading about my favorite thing about my life(family), it was overall an sublime book.
August 5, 2023
It was such an interesting perspective looking upon an actual individual who was playing alongside great players like Rooney and Ronaldo. You do get an angle on the mental health aspect of soccer and it really forces you to think how hard it is to balance.
September 26, 2018
I had trouble keeping track of all the names of players and coaches, but I enjoyed Howard's story of overcoming and achieving.
February 8, 2022
A good biography. I enjoyed reading about his soccer career and struggles with Tourette’s Syndrome.
April 24, 2024
Great book about an athlete I love.
Goated stories of the PL and USMNT. Wish it had more of his tales from Everton.
What a goalkeeper man
Goated stories of the PL and USMNT. Wish it had more of his tales from Everton.
What a goalkeeper man
June 7, 2025
So good and informative about Tourette Syndrome and OCD. I am now a fan of Tim Howard. Glad I read my son’s school book report pick.
November 25, 2015
This book was about a man who is very inspiring. He was very good at soccer but his family was very poor. When his teammates stayed in fancy hotels they stayed in a no rating motel. Also when Tim was five he was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome. This makes standing still and concentrating very hard. Your body also has tics that makes you move and you can't control it. You also say things that you don't mean to say but you can't control it either. Just imagine trying to be in school with Tourette's. Also playing soccer and running must be very hard. He was able to over come it and make it into the professional leagues. Reading this book made me think about how you shouldn't take life for granted. Be thankful for what you have. This book is an amazing book that you should really read.
April 3, 2016
I enjoyed this read. You could feel the emotion when he talked about the games. It was interesting to see how he felt about the games, which matches meant the most to him . We could see the hard work that these players put in and the sacrifices they make for the game they love!
March 11, 2016
A really great, inspiring sports biography. Man do soccer players work hard.
November 9, 2020
It was interesting! I enjoyed reading this bok and learning more about TS and soccer
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November 1, 2016its good
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews