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Soccer School
Football School: Where Football Explains the World
Football Where Football Explains the World [Hardcover] Alex Bellos; Ben Lyttleton and Spike Gerrell
208 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2001
24 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Alex Bellos
70 books377 followers"I was born in Oxford and grew up in Edinburgh and Southampton. After studying mathematics and philosophy at university I joined the Evening Argus in Brighton as a trainee reporter. I joined the Guardian in 1994 as a reporter and in 1998 moved to Rio de Janeiro, where I spent five years as the paper’s South America correspondent. Since 2003 I have lived in London, as a freelance writer and broadcaster.
[...]
In 2003 I presented a five-part series on Brazil for the BBC, called Inside Out Brazil. My short films about the Amazon have been broadcast on the BBC, More 4 and Al Jazeera International."
[...]
In 2003 I presented a five-part series on Brazil for the BBC, called Inside Out Brazil. My short films about the Amazon have been broadcast on the BBC, More 4 and Al Jazeera International."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 4, 2018
Thank you Candlewick Press and Netgalley for an ARc in return for my honest review.
This was a fun, enjoyable book that children around the 7-9 year age group would love.
The book is based around a week of school subjects, teaching about the worlds through soccer.
Each chapter is based on an educational subject and has fun facts, illustrations and quizzes all give through the analogy of soccer.
Some of the chapters include: biology, where the importance of what and when you eat are explained, maths, where the probability of dying while playing soccer is explored (relatively low thankfully): geography, where different skills sets for soccer are examined and the emergencynod Futsal is revealed and Business studies where budgets are discussed.
This is a fabulous book and a highly effective way to teach a soccer loving child.
This was a fun, enjoyable book that children around the 7-9 year age group would love.
The book is based around a week of school subjects, teaching about the worlds through soccer.
Each chapter is based on an educational subject and has fun facts, illustrations and quizzes all give through the analogy of soccer.
Some of the chapters include: biology, where the importance of what and when you eat are explained, maths, where the probability of dying while playing soccer is explored (relatively low thankfully): geography, where different skills sets for soccer are examined and the emergencynod Futsal is revealed and Business studies where budgets are discussed.
This is a fabulous book and a highly effective way to teach a soccer loving child.
February 23, 2020
It is a fun book I got from my new school library. It does get a bit boring in some bits but I enjoyed reading it though! ⚽️🥅⛳
September 20, 2018
Soccer School Season 1 is a book i think best for upper elementary students. It is written as if it is a week of school classes. The book starts with an introduction to your coaches/ teachers for your soccer school, as well as your class schedule for the week. your first class on Monday is Biology, And what this chapter basically amounts to is poop. Okay, what 3rd/4th/5th grade boy won't like a book that not only contains a healthy amount of pictures, but also starts with a section on poop! i know, it probably sounds gross, but potty humor has their interest. and besides, it brings education and nutrition into the subject. by teaching you about what to eat and when to eat it when exercising. This is then followed by math, english, zoology physical education, history, psychology, technology, geography, drama, business, fashion, music, physics, etc, Each of these subjects is tied to soccer in some way. For instance, fashion is uniforms, physics is how soccer would work on other planets. Each school subject has a quiz (just a few questions). it was really pretty interesting how the authors found a way to tie soccer to so many different subjects.
I found this book to be written in language appropriate for the intended grade level. The sections were of good length to read a few minutes and have natural breaks before the child would be bored. And there were a good amount of pictures. I do think it would benefit from a table of contents.
My only complaint about this book is that there was something off with the digital formatting. My son and i looked at this both on an iphone and an ipad and both had similar results. The pictures did not fit the screen, and since they frequently had pictures and words overlapping, sometimes a word or sentence or picture would stretch over pages. Or sometimes two sentences were overlapping. It was hard to figure out exactly what the sentence was supposed to be at times. Even so, i think this book would be something kids would really be drawn to at a school book fair!
Thanks to Netgalley, Mr Bellos,and Mr Lyttleton, and Candlewick Press for this Arc
I found this book to be written in language appropriate for the intended grade level. The sections were of good length to read a few minutes and have natural breaks before the child would be bored. And there were a good amount of pictures. I do think it would benefit from a table of contents.
My only complaint about this book is that there was something off with the digital formatting. My son and i looked at this both on an iphone and an ipad and both had similar results. The pictures did not fit the screen, and since they frequently had pictures and words overlapping, sometimes a word or sentence or picture would stretch over pages. Or sometimes two sentences were overlapping. It was hard to figure out exactly what the sentence was supposed to be at times. Even so, i think this book would be something kids would really be drawn to at a school book fair!
Thanks to Netgalley, Mr Bellos,and Mr Lyttleton, and Candlewick Press for this Arc
May 19, 2023
A great little book. 5star read.
September 24, 2017
Recommended read for football enthusiasts and young players.
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January 8, 2020The book starts off talking about what it’s like at soccer school. The main characters are the teachers. There is no protagonist or antagonist.The main characters engage in teaching at soccer school.They didn’t face any problems unless they would have played soccer back then the problem they would face is the consequences for losing.
When I read the book I thought it was really interesting to learn about what was like back then when playing soccer and what they need to eat and etc. My favorite part is learning what the consequences for losing were back then. My least favorite part was knowing what they have to eat cause I used to play soccer and following those rules seemed like it would of been hard to follow at least for me cause I just eat sugar all the time specially sense it does cause me to get fatter and I just stay skinner anyways lets get back on top. I don’t dislike any of the characters but at the same time I don’t like any of the characters. Things I can relate from the book in real life is if you are a bad person and do bad things you have consequences for it. Like in the book if you lose a game you have consequences for it and those consequences are bad ones.
Over all I think the book was really good and I recommend reading it if your into soccer or if you can’t find a interesting book. I think others will enjoying it if they like soccer like I said or if they have never found a interesting book they would find one and it would be this one. Others might not like it if they are not into soccer or think it sucks or just any book isn’t entertaining for them.
When I read the book I thought it was really interesting to learn about what was like back then when playing soccer and what they need to eat and etc. My favorite part is learning what the consequences for losing were back then. My least favorite part was knowing what they have to eat cause I used to play soccer and following those rules seemed like it would of been hard to follow at least for me cause I just eat sugar all the time specially sense it does cause me to get fatter and I just stay skinner anyways lets get back on top. I don’t dislike any of the characters but at the same time I don’t like any of the characters. Things I can relate from the book in real life is if you are a bad person and do bad things you have consequences for it. Like in the book if you lose a game you have consequences for it and those consequences are bad ones.
Over all I think the book was really good and I recommend reading it if your into soccer or if you can’t find a interesting book. I think others will enjoying it if they like soccer like I said or if they have never found a interesting book they would find one and it would be this one. Others might not like it if they are not into soccer or think it sucks or just any book isn’t entertaining for them.
October 5, 2018
This is a fun, nonfiction book filled with a wide assortment of facts and trivia about soccer. Lots of black and white illustrations and plenty of silly jokes. Rather than a table of contents, you are presented with a "school schedule" Each "class" starts with a silly comic strip that introduces the topic with a punny joke, and the classes each end with a 5 question quiz. It's not something that I'd read from cover to cover but it's fun to flip through. When we got it, my children each ran off with it, even my non-readers. I'll update this review when I've had a chance to read it aloud with my kids and get their reactions.
October 15, 2018
I'm already a soccer fan. I don't think this book is for those who are not fans but need converted. It's for kids that already play and want to know more. It never talks about female soccer players so it's more for boys than girls. It's full of basic and crazy soccer stats and information. I loved the poop and diving stories. A diving statistic that was no surprise is in the 2014 World cup first 32 games 302 players fell to the ground but only 9 were injured--that's 3% actually hurt. It also talks about the pick up soccer game that happened in WWI between Germany and Great Britain on Christmas Day. That wasn't new for me, but a favorite.
October 18, 2018
This book is recommended for a third through sixth grade audience. I honestly believe my 7th. and 8th. grade soccer players will want to take a spin through its pages and maybe some adult soccer fans also.
The cover and illustrations have the appeal of all of the latest book favorites such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries. Most readers won't be discouraged by the 196 pages of facts because the information is interspersed with quick end of the chapter quizzes, full-page panels of cartoons, and stories of famous soccer stars.
I can't wait to get this copy processed and out on top of a library shelf for reading by our soccer aficionados. I'll be checking into ordering Season 2.
The cover and illustrations have the appeal of all of the latest book favorites such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries. Most readers won't be discouraged by the 196 pages of facts because the information is interspersed with quick end of the chapter quizzes, full-page panels of cartoons, and stories of famous soccer stars.
I can't wait to get this copy processed and out on top of a library shelf for reading by our soccer aficionados. I'll be checking into ordering Season 2.
May 25, 2022
I would recommend this to anyone who plays and likes football. I loved this book from the beginning to the end. Even as a football fan it still taught me many things I didn't know. What I love about this book is that the chapter is like school classes. For example, the first chapter is about biology. It talks about what football players eat and when they should eat before games to stay healthy. Each chapter based on what it is about gives you a story/example than happened IRL or in a football game. For example, in the 1990 world cup, when he went to try and tackle the defender, he stretched, relaxed and accidentally pooed in his pants.
November 1, 2018
Disclosure: I received this advance reader book in exchange for a review. Soccer School should appeal to middle grade readers, especially boys. They will be hooked by the first chapter, which is about the importance of pooping. Yep, pooping. The book is essentially facts and figures about soccer and its players, which are wrapped in an engaging package of imagination and first person narrative. Boys who go for the nonfiction books on soccer should find Soccer Season fun and informative.
October 15, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This informational text follows a "school schedule", with each subject relating in some way to soccer. The first chapter is all about poop, which hooks in its target audience, middle grade boys especially. There is lots of information in this book, making anyone an expert.
This informational text follows a "school schedule", with each subject relating in some way to soccer. The first chapter is all about poop, which hooks in its target audience, middle grade boys especially. There is lots of information in this book, making anyone an expert.
November 5, 2018
Alex and Ben are your guides/coaches through the book. The book includes some "facts" about soccer and how soccer players decide to select things. The book is VERY wordy. There are some comic strips but a lot of explanation as you go through the book.
The book is designed for 3-6 grade. I would say this book is an optional purchase if you have some extra money in your budget.
The book is designed for 3-6 grade. I would say this book is an optional purchase if you have some extra money in your budget.
June 7, 2024
Although this book is shelved in the middle grade section, it's a fantastic intro to soccer and how it ties into well...everything. There is chapter on history, fashion, music, philosophy and more...all tying in the idea of school subjects and soccer. A fun clever read, and I'll be getting the rest of them also.
August 26, 2019
I had zero expectations when beginning this series but was pleasantly surprised! These books are jam packed with trivia and knowledge all presented in a lighthearted and very appealing way! I would highly recommend for reluctant readers as well! PS Not just for soccer fans!
May 21, 2020
This is such a great book! And I think it will help all those children who want to be footballers to realise why it is so important to listen in every subject and that every subject contributes to being a great footballer.
July 14, 2022
This spectacular book has saved my life when having nothing fun left to read!
Football school is funny, full of facts and beautifully illustrated - my favourite combination.
Recommend this book to the world, all ages!
Football school is funny, full of facts and beautifully illustrated - my favourite combination.
Recommend this book to the world, all ages!
February 21, 2018
This book is amazing an you can learn a lot from it.
December 17, 2018
Dexter (10yo) read. "Soccer's awesome. I like how they told the story."
January 2, 2019
Read with my kids. A fun format and interesting content.
December 26, 2019
Big disagreement here. 7 year old says five stars, I say three. Split the difference.
July 1, 2020
I loved it as a fan of football. lots of intresting facts about football and all that I dont think I would have known without the book. great to read.
May 15, 2021
Fun to read book 📚 ⚽
November 19, 2021
This is one of my favourite books I have read with my son. Would happily have read it alone, I learnt a lot of interesting stuff about football and the world!
May 6, 2022
My son got this for Christmas, very funny and he learnt a thing or two. 8/10 recommend to young players.
January 2, 2023
This is a good book to read if you like football
I have met Alex Bellos in person once so opinions may differ
I have met Alex Bellos in person once so opinions may differ
January 8, 2023
⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽😀All about football.! It gives you 18 ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽ Lessons about football. You can imagine that you are in the classroom with all of your footy friends. 😱AMAZING!GREAT!MEGA!AWESOME!
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February 8, 2023Very good story.
June 10, 2025
语言不难 内容设置很精巧 适合喜欢足球的小孩子看 就是等我的小孩儿看的时候 球星们可能都不认识了
August 15, 2022
AMAZING BOOK I loved it!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews