Kirkus Reviews
While eight-year-old Edson do Nascimento's classmates are learning the alphabet and math, he is dreaming about playing soccer. Edson is small for his age, but he's determined and obsessed. He and his neighborhood friends form a team they name "September 7" after Brazil's day of independence. They work hard and earn money for uniforms, but there's not enough for shoes. The father of three of the boys volunteers to be their coach and gets some used shoes donated. Pele's father, a former soccer player, also helps his son train. Edson, now Pele, and his team improve and go on to win their game in the youth soccer tournament. An inspiring and indomitable subject and beautiful oils depicting Brazil's diverse population help overcome a rather flat narrative that tells the story of one very poor kid who made good. Missteps along the way-he gets his nickname early on, but it isn't given meaning until the author's note; suddenly, after several mentions of the ball made of rags, there's a real ball, but no explanation; there are no resources or further reading offered; imagined conversations-mar a story that will still have appeal to young soccer fans. (Picture book. 4-9)
From the Publisher
Starred Review, Booklist, September 1, 2007:
"With handsome oil paintings and a stirring story, this picture-book biography will first grab children with its action."
—Hazel Rochman
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2—Pelé, the Brazilian soccer player, was only 17 when his team won the World Cup in 1958, and many consider him to be the greatest soccer player of all time. In this well-written picture-book biography (Schwartz & Wade, 2007) by Lesa Cline-Ransome, students learn of the focus, tenacity, and perseverance Edson do Nascimento had from childhood that led to success in his chosen sport and a rise from a life of poverty. The author's compelling, well-paced text is accompanied by lush, vibrant paintings by James E. Ransome. Together they take listeners through Pelé's boyhood soccer dreams and growth into a successful player. The author and illustrator have created a beautiful book. Narration by Brazilian-born Ibsen Santos further enhances the experience, providing not only correct pronunciations for the Portuguese names and words, but a trained voice that creates unique characters and performs the story with intensity and vigor. Background music and sound effects round out the production, making it truly exceptional. This audio production merits a place in every school library.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA
FEBRUARY 2012 - AudioFile
A torn net in the shade of a mango tree. A ball made of a sock stuffed with rags. Bare feet. Does this sound like an auspicious beginning for “soccer’s first star”? In Brazil in the 1940s and 1950s, young Edson do Nascimento left school and, with his young buddies, the “shoeless ones,” practiced moves, challenged older boys, and raised money for uniforms and shoes—all on his way to becoming a soccer standout. Ibsen Santos is an unobtrusive narrator who sets a leisurely pace and lets young listeners interact with both the text and the illustrations. Santos’s delivery of the thoughts in Pelé’s mind as he plays mirrors his athletic intensity. Radio broadcasts of soccer games add ambiance to the production, and an author’s note provides additional information on the world soccer star. A.R. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
