WE LOVE SON HEUNG-MIN

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.