Get the 411 on Soccer Books

Soccer World: South Africa: Explore the World Through Soccer
by Ethan Zohn and David Rosenberg

Former professional soccer player and Survivor: Africa winner, Ethan Zohn, uses his own personal experience to explore the diverse country of South Africa. Readers follow Zohn and his soccer-player South African friend, Tawela, through the home of the 2010 World Cup where they learn about the culture and history of the country. This book also contains culturally specific activities in math, science, language and arts. Kids learn how to make masks, do hot air experiments and learn to say hello in the 11 official South African languages.

A Beautiful Game: The World’s Greatest Players and How Soccer Changed Their Lives
by Tom Watt

From the suburbs of America to the streets of Brazil, to the war torn countryside of Iraq, soccer is a game played around the world. Soccer is a common language and culture shared by millions–the joy, the passion, the escape from reality needs no translation. In his book, Tom Watt speaks to the world’s top soccer stars about growing up, falling in love with the game, and almost more importantly, what the game means to them. Watt combines the player’s words with striking images from all over the world in a celebration of soccer’s ability to unite.

Goal!
by Mina Javaherbin

In her first children’s book, Mina Javaherbin takes readers to a dusty township in South Africa. Anjani has just won a brand new, “federation-size” soccer ball, and invites his friends to a game. With bullies roaming the streets, the boys start to play with their new ball–until the bullies arrive. Javaherbin delves into a world unfamiliar to many Americans–a world with danger and deprivation–but the triumph over the bullies makes Goal! a perfect read for your little soccer player!