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Soccer School
Soccer School Season 2: Where Soccer Explains (Saves) the World
Soccer School is back in session and ready to defend its goal: to explain the world through soccer.
Coaches Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton return with even more proof that soccer can be used to teach kids about pretty much anything. The second book in their funny, fascinating series is full of facts about the most popular sport in the world, from history to language, design to psychology. When did women begin playing soccer? Why do lefties have an advantage on the field? Which soccer stadium was built in the shape of a crocodile? Perfect for soccer players, fans, or just plain curious kids, this series is packed with information and amusement in equal measure. Goal!
Coaches Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton return with even more proof that soccer can be used to teach kids about pretty much anything. The second book in their funny, fascinating series is full of facts about the most popular sport in the world, from history to language, design to psychology. When did women begin playing soccer? Why do lefties have an advantage on the field? Which soccer stadium was built in the shape of a crocodile? Perfect for soccer players, fans, or just plain curious kids, this series is packed with information and amusement in equal measure. Goal!
- GenresNonfictionSports
208 pages, Hardcover
Published October 26, 2018
8 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Alex Bellos
70 books378 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 8, 2017
This is such a fun book for any football fan but it will also spark an interest in those that aren't! 'Football School Season 2' is the follow up book to 'Football School season 1' although you don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one.
Aimed at kids this hardback book is filled with lots of fun facts and illustrations all centred around football but done in a very fun and unique way. Because this is football school the book starts with an introduction and a timetable set out like a school timetable with subjects such as biology, maths and art. These subjects are actually chapters in the book and I really like the fun way this book is arranged. The whole book has a slight 'Horrible Histories' sort of feel to it as there are illustrations throughout that are silly, the facts you learn along the way are sometimes a little weird and icky (especially the first chapter on urine!), and there are funny jokes throughout.
Although the book feels fun to read there are lots of interesting facts to learn which makes this much more interesting than just any funny book. The first chapter for example teaches kids about urine, which might seem weird and slightly off putting but I'm impressed with how the biology of the urinary system is explained to kids and found some of the extra football related urine facts really interesting. Every chapter ends with a quiz to see if you remember what you've learned, with answers to the questions found at the back of the book.
A new feature in this book which wasn't in the original is the after school club. This is like a mini lesson but focuses more in techniques that kids can really try out to improve their balance, mind, health (with some great smoothie recipes), relaxation techniques, and even exercises to improve your feet, some of which I'm going to try out (even as an adult) as they seem to be very useful in stretching ligaments and improving muscles and balance.
The illustrations in this book are what make this so fun. All the illustrations are in shades of black and white but are just fun to look. Theyare very funny and along with the funny facts you just can't help but laugh at some of the things you see. What is also fun is the fact that each page has illustrations throughout and it breaks up the text making it easy and more fun to read, and I love the fact that the authors Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton are drawn throughout the book adding their own humour and fun jokes at the start of each lesson.
This book is aimed at kids but I'm sure some adults will enjoy looking at this too. It would be perfect for any football fans but it's also a book I think some non-football fans might enjoy. As somebody who doesn't follow football I can say that I've found it really fun and interesting to read and it's certainly made a little more interested in the sport.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy.
Aimed at kids this hardback book is filled with lots of fun facts and illustrations all centred around football but done in a very fun and unique way. Because this is football school the book starts with an introduction and a timetable set out like a school timetable with subjects such as biology, maths and art. These subjects are actually chapters in the book and I really like the fun way this book is arranged. The whole book has a slight 'Horrible Histories' sort of feel to it as there are illustrations throughout that are silly, the facts you learn along the way are sometimes a little weird and icky (especially the first chapter on urine!), and there are funny jokes throughout.
Although the book feels fun to read there are lots of interesting facts to learn which makes this much more interesting than just any funny book. The first chapter for example teaches kids about urine, which might seem weird and slightly off putting but I'm impressed with how the biology of the urinary system is explained to kids and found some of the extra football related urine facts really interesting. Every chapter ends with a quiz to see if you remember what you've learned, with answers to the questions found at the back of the book.
A new feature in this book which wasn't in the original is the after school club. This is like a mini lesson but focuses more in techniques that kids can really try out to improve their balance, mind, health (with some great smoothie recipes), relaxation techniques, and even exercises to improve your feet, some of which I'm going to try out (even as an adult) as they seem to be very useful in stretching ligaments and improving muscles and balance.
The illustrations in this book are what make this so fun. All the illustrations are in shades of black and white but are just fun to look. Theyare very funny and along with the funny facts you just can't help but laugh at some of the things you see. What is also fun is the fact that each page has illustrations throughout and it breaks up the text making it easy and more fun to read, and I love the fact that the authors Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton are drawn throughout the book adding their own humour and fun jokes at the start of each lesson.
This book is aimed at kids but I'm sure some adults will enjoy looking at this too. It would be perfect for any football fans but it's also a book I think some non-football fans might enjoy. As somebody who doesn't follow football I can say that I've found it really fun and interesting to read and it's certainly made a little more interested in the sport.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy.
September 14, 2017
Another taster of Horrible History-esque general knowledge all centred (get it?) on the sport
The first was excellent at getting the attention of football-mad students in my school library. They came back quoting facts from the book, clearly taken with the format and interesting facts presented.
This is very much on a similar trajectory - Alex and Ben take us on a tour of the world of school subjects, using football as a basis. Everything can be related back to football - a discussion on the need to sweat and why we drink water, the physics of a football, even percentages and averages in maths. Every subject manages to find a link to the sport.
It looks a lot like a Horrible History book, a format that's worked since I read that series more than two decades ago. Comic strips and speech bubbles, quizzes, (corny) jokes, lots of short sections and funny headings, a chatty tone and narrator - perfect for picking up and putting down, reading in snippets, and for various ages.
It's clear the authors know both about their general knowledge and their football, and there's plenty here of the game to interest a confident reader for ages 8 up to 13 or so.
A lovely quality hardback, would make a great gift as well as a good read for school for someone who's not keen on fiction but will be able to find a way in to reading through a love of sport.
With thanks to Walker Books for the sample reading copy.
The first was excellent at getting the attention of football-mad students in my school library. They came back quoting facts from the book, clearly taken with the format and interesting facts presented.
This is very much on a similar trajectory - Alex and Ben take us on a tour of the world of school subjects, using football as a basis. Everything can be related back to football - a discussion on the need to sweat and why we drink water, the physics of a football, even percentages and averages in maths. Every subject manages to find a link to the sport.
It looks a lot like a Horrible History book, a format that's worked since I read that series more than two decades ago. Comic strips and speech bubbles, quizzes, (corny) jokes, lots of short sections and funny headings, a chatty tone and narrator - perfect for picking up and putting down, reading in snippets, and for various ages.
It's clear the authors know both about their general knowledge and their football, and there's plenty here of the game to interest a confident reader for ages 8 up to 13 or so.
A lovely quality hardback, would make a great gift as well as a good read for school for someone who's not keen on fiction but will be able to find a way in to reading through a love of sport.
With thanks to Walker Books for the sample reading copy.
May 25, 2022
After reading the first book of the series, I had to get the 2nd one. Once again this book was as good and almost better than the first one. Again it taught me new things every time I began to read. My favourite section was Chapter 1 - PSHE. It talked about how professional footballer must provide their clubs with small tubes of pee to see if their health or not. It takes about how water worked in our body. At the end of the chapter, it says that in the 1990 world cup the Argentinian goalkeeper would pee through his shorts before penalties. He said it was his lucky charm and he ended up saving 3 in total by doing this.
I can't wait to read numbers 3 and 4 of this series.
I can't wait to read numbers 3 and 4 of this series.
April 19, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Like the first in the series, this book starts out with bodily functions that occur during/before soccer. It follows a similar format for each section, giving the history, facts, and pop quizzes. Soccer fans will enjoy!
Like the first in the series, this book starts out with bodily functions that occur during/before soccer. It follows a similar format for each section, giving the history, facts, and pop quizzes. Soccer fans will enjoy!
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!
April 18, 2019
With three volumes in this Soccer School series, young athletes with gather all the information they need to understand the History, Science, Biology and quirky facts of the game. Jam-packed with comic illustrations, readers will be laughing and learning, and mini quizzes will test their knowledge. This is an awesome way to learn the secrets behind the success of this game. Soccer fans aged eight to adult will enjoy these books.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews