Arcady's Goal

Reviewed by: Mary Lehmer - Freeport Community Library, Freeport, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 11, 2015

Review

Arcady is a young orphan in pre World War II Russia. His parents were enemies of the state so he was placed in an orphanage. He is a pretty good soccer player and ends up getting adopted by a supervisor that he thinks will train him to be a soccer star.

There are light black and white sketches throughout the story that give you a sense of the sadness and fear people had of each other during this time period as well as the moments when those feelings were overcome. Arcady’s situation gives the reader a glimpse into Russia at that time without showing the violence and killing that went on then. It also shows the compassion that can be found even in the most desolate of places. This would be a good book for readers that like historical fiction but the sports piece will give it broader appeal. This would be good for ages 8 and up.

Overall Book Score: very good