yapha's review
3.0
Arcady loves soccer more than anything. Growing up in a home for children whose parents have been declared enemies of the people, it is all he has. When he is adopted, he convinces himself that his new father is actually a soccer coach in disguise. Try as he might to be the coach that Arcady needs, Ivan Ivanyvich knows little about soccer, but much about what it takes to be a family. An emotional story of two people who need each other, and soccer. Grades 4-6.
krismarley's review against another edition
3.0
Liked it better than Breaking Stalin's Nose. Would make an interesting text pair with The War That Saved My Life. I would spin it as soccer book.
bookgirlnadine's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Yelchin's Breaking Stalin's nose and used it for a 4th-5th grade book club. The children found it to be difficult to understand how so much trouble could befall children in school for such minor infractions. It just didn't make sense. I like Arcady's Goal because Yelchin uses soccer and a boy's desire to be a famous soccer star as a catalyst to making peace with such a cruel and tormented society. I think in this novel, kids will empathize with Arcady and the true consequences of reporting on friends and family. All in all it was a really good novel....a quick read and a great story of redemption.
couillac's review against another edition
3.0
Yelchin's story of an orphaned child of parents deemed "enemies of the state" illuminates modern Russian history for young readers. While focusing primarily on Arcady and his adoptive father as they try to build themselves into a family, Yelchin also introduces the reality of a country wracked by suspicion, betrayal, and fear that shaped generations of Russian childhoods. Arcady is an entirely believable, if occasionally frustrating, boy, scarred by his years in a state-run orphanage and unable to comprehend that anyone would be taking him in for a reason other than to profit from his excellent soccer skills. Young readers with an interest in historical fiction, realistic fiction, or even soccer will leave with plenty of thought-provoking questions about the Cold War and life in Soviet Russia. A great entry point for history lessons.
the_nina_is_reading's review against another edition
5.0
fun and heartwarming story and read it in one sitting *chef's kiss*
mistree's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to them audio version of this book which was quite good. They voices really sounded Russian accented. They storyline was good as it dealt with a boy who had been raised in an orphanage but was adopted by a man who wanted a family. They boy was very skilled at soccer and had a gray desire to play on a real team, especially them Red Army team. However, this wasn't easy as his real parents had been declared cites of the state and that stigma followed him, even though they died when he was a baby. They author's note at their end helped me realize that this was not a farfetched angle but a reality for too many in their Soviet Union.
evila_elf's review
2.0
I read this book about a month ago. Don't remember too much about it except that I really didn't like Arcady. He didn't seem to change or learn after his experiences.
With historical fiction, I also like being able to learn a little something, but for me, that didn't happen either.
With historical fiction, I also like being able to learn a little something, but for me, that didn't happen either.
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