Matty in the Goal

* Reviews *

Short chapters, sports, mostly for boys—that pretty much sums up the A Champion Sports Story series. Written by a former semi-pro player and college coach, this book focuses on soccer. Almost-twelve Matty would love to play, but hes not fast enough or strong enough to compete with Gibb, the Cannons star player, so he mostly sits on the bench. When their goalkeeper moves away, Matty volunteers for the unpopular position—well, at least he would be playing! After schools out, the Cannons learn they are scheduled for an extra game against the Rockets, a team of international students, all of whom have played in their home countries and are considered unbeatable. The plot gains some interest when, after a particularly sad practice, a despairing Matty meets a mysterious stranger in a tracksuit; he turns out to be a charismatic goalie named Bobako willing to coach Matty before the big game. (Unless theyve already guessed, readers will later be surprised to learn Bobakos true identity, leaving them with a vague sense of international goodwill.) With Bobakos philosophy and tips, Matty gradually improves and gains respect from his teammates. What will happen when they play the legendary Rockets? Soccer players can probably stay with the routine story with no discernible setting or date and (except for Bobako) stock characters suggesting the fifties, though the pace picks up with the suspense of the game and Mattys growing understanding of, not only the mystique of goalkeeping, but also of performing under pressure and the question of whether winning is really everything., Children's Literature