Kick It, Mo!

Mo Jackson

by David A. Adler, Sam Ricks

This fourth title in the perenially popular, Geisel Award-winning Level 2 readers series features a sport that's a kid soccer!The soccer season is starting, and Mo has been working hard on his kicking skills so he can help his team, the Billy Goats, score a goal. But when he gets on the field on game day, it seems like all he gets to do is run back and forth. Will Mo ever get the chance to show his team what he can do?

Genres: Sports, Picture Books, Childrens, Soccer, African American, 1st Grade, Juvenile

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neo is back to read and has chosen an interesting book to start. Mo is quite the soccer player, one who loves to kick. He will kick chairs, pillows, and even cans, but he needs to focus on his aim. When he is preparing for the big soccer game, he realises that he needs to get his kicks on the ground, as they seem to fly all over the place. When Mo’s team is up against the much larger Pups, Mo does his best, but is not yet able to score. In the dying seconds, Mo has a chance and yet his nerves get the best of him.

Neo really enjoyed the first part of the book, which talked about all the types of kicks Mo can do on his own. The story was creative and easy to understand, while the illustrations were colourful and caught the eye. He thinks that young and learning readers would enjoy this book, especially since it promotes healthy activity.

Did you know Neo’s has his own GR account for reviews? Check him out: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...

[Neo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m back to read and chose an interesting book to start. Mo is quite the soccer player, one who loves to kick. He will kick chairs, pillows, and even cans, but he needs to focus on his aim. When he is preparing for the big soccer game, he realises that he needs to get his kicks on the ground, as they seem to fly all over the place. When Mo’s team is up against the much larger Pups, Mo does his best, but is not yet able to score. In the dying seconds, Mo has a chance and yet his nerves get the best of him.

I really enjoyed the first part of the book, which talked about all the types of kicks Mo can do on his own. The story was creative and easy to understand, while the illustrations were colourful and caught the eye. I think that young and learning readers would enjoy this book, especially since it promotes healthy activity.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so glad this series is continuing. Mo reminds me of so many kids I know.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mo is working on his kicking skills, but he can't manage to keep the ball low to the ground. His game comes and it is much harder work than he thought. Will Mo's team be able to pull out a win, and can Mo kick the ball correctly?

Another Mo Jackson book in which he learns an important skill through an accident. Mo's team is shockingly organized for their age group. Most kids at that age play like a heard of goats following the ball. The climax is humorous. I like that the book showed Mo's parents working with him on his skills as a family. Kids need that family time doing something they love. Soccer is insanely popular at our school and I think we only have 1 other leveled reader (out of several thousand) that is about soccer. This will likely never stay on the shelf. Hand this to little soccer players just learning to read.

[Jj · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another entry in the series about Mo Jackson, a sports-loving kid. I found this to be a lesser entry in the series than the previous titles. To some extent, I found it did not make much sense from the beginning; Mo is practicing his kicking at home and tells his mother he must practice because, "I have a soccer game today." How could this be news to his parents, who then go outside with him to practice AS IF THEY HAD NO IDEA HE PLAYED SOCCER? This just seemed kind of disjointed and got the story started in a peculiar way which did not improve much as the book continued.

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Adler's Mo is at it again, except this time, he's playing soccer. As in previous volumes, he struggles to develop the skills needed to play well. His kicks tend to send the ball flying through the air, instead of along the ground. During his team's game, he gets the chance to score a goal. Will he kick the ball correctly or will it be another miss? Mo is such a lovable character, with his love for sports and his willingness to do his best, even if his best is far from perfect. This series is perfect for young readers who play sports themselves and struggle to accept their own mistakes. It's also a fun series for young readers period.

[Nobies57 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third in the Penguin Early Reader series by David Adler. Mo loves to kick and kicks a lot of things, including furniture. The only thing he seems to have trouble kicking is a soccer ball. So when his team is slated to play against the big kid team, Mo is rightfully, nervous. No surprise, Mo winds up in front of the opposing teams goal as the clock winds down and now it's up to Mo to make the shot.
Youngest reader sports fans will appreciate the story and the series as well as the simple vocabulary, expressive illustrations and the diverse group of kids.

[Kifflie · Rating 4 out of 5]

** spoiler alert ** Mo Jackson is practicing his kicking skills for soccer, but he keeps kicking the ball high instead of low. When his team, the Billy Goats, play the Pups, it's no score until near the very end, when Mo gets his chance. He sort of whiffs on the kick, but it gets past the goalie because he wasn't expecting it that way. Sam Ricks's illustrations do capture the action of a kids' soccer match very nicely, and the diverse cast of characters is good to see.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book. Mo Jackson is playing soccer for the Billy Goats, but he's not particularly good. He practices on his furniture (ouch) and with his family, but he has trouble keeping the ball on the ground. When the Billy Goats play the Pups, Adler captures how exhausting it is playing soccer (so much running) and how boring/low-scoring it can be (a one-zero game). The illustrations are really cute and I will definitely recommend this to emerging readers.

[Becca Peterson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was about a boy who was just starting to play soccer. He was struggling with learning to kick a goal, but kept kicking it too high. During the game it was tied 0-0 and the game was almost done. He ended up with the ball right in front of the goal. He went to kick it and barely hit it because he missed. This ended up being a good thing because the ball didn't go over the goal and it went right in.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mo is so relatable and the story is great, considering the vocabulary limitations. It has a nice ending without giving Mo an easy out, and it stays silly and relatable all the while. Solid recommendation for any beginning reader.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mo is determined to prove his worth on the field at the soccer game. He's not the tallest, the strongest, or the fastest, but Mo is willing to practice to improve his kicking skills. Will his practice pay off?

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book - a bit confusing (why don't his parents seem to know he's on a soccer team??) but also kind of fun. Good illustrations, some repetition and not too many words per page.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another sport, another unexpected maneuver, another win. That's our Mo! Keep these books coming.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good easy read about being determined about something you love.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an early independent reader, so the repetition was good. I just didn't like the story much.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars for this emergent reader with likable Mo

[April Grob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so super cute!! I like how this book is a fiction book that takes students on a journey as if they are actually playing soccer! It was super cute!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty accurate description of a children's soccer game. Love this series! Such a fun, multicultural, humorous, easy to read sports series.

[Silas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good because Mo was, at first, not very good at soccer but then Mo scored a goal.

[Melissa Ganka-Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series for beginner readers, especially boys. Clear but challenging sentences and an interesting story.

[Jillian Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to add to a sports unit for first graders. They loved hearing about Mo and his challenges with soccer. Fast paced, easy to read. Great book!

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

We aren't all destined to be star athletes, but Mo is always determined to put his best foot forward. Mo is a delightful role model for young kids joining their first sports teams, where even though he is the youngest and smallest, he always has his parents, coach, and teammates cheering him on. Best for ages 5-7.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mo Jackson loves sports, and soccer is no exception. He’s getting ready for soccer season by kicking everything- his bed, his desk, his pillow. Mo has a good kick, but it’s too powerful. He can’t manage to keep the ball low along the ground. Every time he kicks a soccer ball it goes flying through the air. In fact, when he kicks his pillow, it flies into the bookshelf and knocks several books off. At the soccer game- Billy Goats vs. Pups, Mo runs up the field and down the field. He gets so tired, he’s not sure he can run anymore. Toward the end of the game when the score is still zero to zero, the Pups goalie blocks a shot and throws the ball back out onto the field- right at Mo. Mo sets up for a strong kick and almost misses the ball. Instead of going air borne, the ball rolls slowly right into the goal! Score and win!
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging sports story with illustrations that feature refreshingly diverse characters (I think this is the first children’s book I’ve seen with a soccer player in a hijab!). Recommended for readers who can handle 2-3 simple sentences per page.