Fun, exciting, and perfect for young soccer fans.
Son Heung-Min, forward for the Tottenham Hotspurs and captain of the South Korean national team, is indeed a soccer superstar.
Starting his career at the age of 16 at FC Seoul, he was quickly discovered by Europe, known for having the best players and soccer leagues in the world. Over his career he has played in Germany and England, played in a Champions League final, and in 2019 was nominated for the Ballon d’Or, the oldest and most prestigious individual award for soccer players. This nonfiction book, heavy on photos and stats and very light on sustained narrative, follows Son’s soccer career with quotes that offer an inside look, keeping readers engaged while learning fast facts about their favorite goal scorer. (They can test retention of those facts with a mini quiz that follows the narrative.) Every page is decorated with fun red, white, and blue graphics that set off the numerous photographs of Son on the playing field or spending time with fans. There is even a page devoted to his military service for the Republic of Korea, where he earned the Pilsung prize as the top performer among the 157 trainees of his cohort. This enthusiastic account emphasizing Son’s sterling character will inspire readers to stay humble and work hard doing something they love. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Fun, exciting, and perfect for young soccer fans. (Nonfiction. 8-12)Pub Date: July 31, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-83935-042-9
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Welbeck Children's
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A fresh, inclusive, and inspiring collective biography.
A collection of short biographies of Black women through the ages and around the world who found ways to resist limits imposed by society.
These thumbnail sketches provide a look at the diverse areas in which Black women have achieved success. Some are well-known historical figures, such as journalist Ida B. Wells, known for her crusading work against lynching in the American South. Seventeenth-century Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba in present-day Angola resisted Portuguese slave traders. Trailblazing political voices include Shirley Chisholm and Vice President Kamala Harris. Mamie Phipps Clark was an African American psychologist whose research was an important factor in deciding Brown v. Board of Education. She is an example of women whose work had impacts on societal change but who may not have received sufficient recognition. Overall, the focus seems to be on the unexpected and individual strivers, with many stories demonstrating the role of persistence. Environmentalist Kristal Ambrose founded the Bahamas Plastic Movement to protect marine life in her home country. The arts are well represented—MC Soffia is a dark-skinned, 17-year-old Brazilian rap artist who performed at the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics and speaks out against colorism—as is the sporting world. The spirited narratives, each one page long, are compelling and are accompanied by vivid color portraits created by Black and nonbinary illustrators from around the world.
A fresh, inclusive, and inspiring collective biography. (minibiographies, interactive materials, glossary, about the authors, illustrators, resources) (Nonfiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-953424-04-4
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Rebel Girls
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2021
Glitches notwithstanding, this is worth a second look
Beginning in the Bronze Age, readers will take an international trip to learn about the weapons, leaders, and historically famous battles that shaped civilizations and the paths of history.
Overall, the book is well-crafted; the warriors and history are arranged in a loosely chronological order, and the book jumps from culture to culture, continent to continent every few pages, briefly describing a selection of the most successful weapons and battle strategies of each age. The illustrations—which have the look of mixed watercolor and digital—enhance the text and typically feature a full-page battle scene or character study on the verso and information about weapons, armor, etc. on the recto. Visually, some historical facts are inaccurate: Alexander the Great’s heterochromia is not depicted, and Joan of Arc seems inspired more by Albert Lynch’s 1903 depiction than by historical renderings, but overall the images are effective. The text is easily understood but has a definite, perhaps understandable bent toward hyperbole: “The Egyptian chariot was the most feared weapon in the world.” The mixture of cultures and genders throughout the book is diverse, and the inclusion of famous female generals and warriors (from Boudicca to Tomoe) is noteworthy. Backmatter beyond an index is nonexistent, which is unfortunate: Readers will search in vain for a glossary of terms, a pronunciation guide, and a timeline.
Glitches notwithstanding, this is worth a second look . (Nonfiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Aug. 7, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-911171-93-5
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
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