Soccer Star

Javaherbin follows Goal! with another moving story drawn from the world of soccer, this time focusing on a Brazilian boy named Paolo with big dreams for himself and his neighborhood team. Paolo’s sense of hope is almost tangible in Alarcão’s cinematically lit ink drawings, which show Paolo visiting his friends (like Paolo, they are all working to support their families). During the team’s big match, Paolo finally allows his sister to join the team, a decision that’s both a small-scale victory and a symbol of promise on a larger scale: “It’s up to me, and my vote is for change.” Ages 5–8. (Apr.)