Chat with us, powered by LiveChat

The Field



by
Baptiste Paul
illustrated by
Jacqueline Alcántara

Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
NorthSouth Books
Imprint
NorthSouth
ISBN
9780735843127

Awards and Honors
CCBC Choices 2019 Choice: Picture Books for School-Age Children
Kirkus Best Books, Picture Books - 2018
School Library Journal Best Books - 2018
Horn Book Fanfare - 2018
$6.00   $5.00
SEE MEMBER PRICE
QTY
Out of stock

"Vini! Come! The field calls!" cries a girl as she and her younger brother rouse their community—family, friends, and the local fruit vendor—for a pickup futbol game.

Details

Format

Print

Page Count

32

Trim Size

8 1/2" x 11"

Dewey

E

AR

1: points 0.5

Lexile

230L

Genre

Fiction

Scholastic Reading Counts

0

JLG Release

Jul 2018

Book Genres


Standard MARC Records

Download Standard MARC Records

Cover Art

Download Cover Art

Praise & Reviews

Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:

Booklist*, The Horn Book Magazine*, Kirkus Reviews*, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly

School Library Journal

An open field in a lush Caribbean setting calls to a group of children. They chase away grazing animals, bring out the soccer ball and goals, and begin a spirited game of soccer. Rain and a muddy, slippery field cannot stop their game; only the repeated calls from the mamas and a setting sun can. Dirty but satisfied, the children return home for baths and bed, knowing that the field will call again for another rousing game. Illustrations in deep, saturated colors with energetic lines accompany a spare but rhythmic English text, sprinkled with Creole. The narrative and images evoke the islands and the joy of playing a game regardless of weather. In a concluding note, Paul recalls his native Saint Lucia where, he explains, Creole is spoken but is rarely written down. A brief glossary is included, though most of the words will be understandable in context and in the animated paintings. VERDICT This engaging book is sure to resonate with children who are passionate about soccer and even those who simply enjoy lively play.—Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library

Horn Book

[STARRED REVIEW]
The place: a verdant Caribbean islandscape. The day’s activity for the community’s children: a pickup game of futbol (soccer). Does it matter that the futbol field is a converted cow pasture? Does it matter that some of the players aren’t wearing shoes? Does it matter that, mid-game, it starts to pour? “No way,” as the text emphatically answers. Children everywhere will relate to the participants’ devotion to and love of the world’s most popular sport, as they “play on” despite slipping, sliding, and falling in the mud (“belly flop! . . . Ou byen?M/i> You okay? Mwen byen. I’m good”). Paul’s universal story is made particular by the specificity of his setting and language (a glossary of Creole words and phrases is appended). The staccato text (“I’m open!” “Pass!” “Shoot!” “Almost”) perfectly captures the intensity and forward propulsion of the action, culminating in an ecstatic cry of “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!” as the sun comes out. Vibrant illustrations, full of movement and saturated with color, match the vigor and excitement of the text. The day winds down with the children heading home to their impatient mamas, baths, and bed—happy to say “Bonswè. Good night” in the knowledge that the game isn’t finished, only paused. An appended note describes the author’s childhood in Saint Lucia; the challenges faced by children such as those in the story; the Creole language; and his continuing love for the “beautiful game.” martha v. parravano

Praise & Reviews

School Library Journal

An open field in a lush Caribbean setting calls to a group of children. They chase away grazing animals, bring out the soccer ball and goals, and begin a spirited game of soccer. Rain and a muddy, slippery field cannot stop their game; only the repeated calls from the mamas and a setting sun can. Dirty but satisfied, the children return home for baths and bed, knowing that the field will call again for another rousing game. Illustrations in deep, saturated colors with energetic lines accompany a spare but rhythmic English text, sprinkled with Creole. The narrative and images evoke the islands and the joy of playing a game regardless of weather. In a concluding note, Paul recalls his native Saint Lucia where, he explains, Creole is spoken but is rarely written down. A brief glossary is included, though most of the words will be understandable in context and in the animated paintings. VERDICT This engaging book is sure to resonate with children who are passionate about soccer and even those who simply enjoy lively play.—Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library

Horn Book

[STARRED REVIEW]
The place: a verdant Caribbean islandscape. The day’s activity for the community’s children: a pickup game of futbol (soccer). Does it matter that the futbol field is a converted cow pasture? Does it matter that some of the players aren’t wearing shoes? Does it matter that, mid-game, it starts to pour? “No way,” as the text emphatically answers. Children everywhere will relate to the participants’ devotion to and love of the world’s most popular sport, as they “play on” despite slipping, sliding, and falling in the mud (“belly flop! . . . Ou byen?M/i> You okay? Mwen byen. I’m good”). Paul’s universal story is made particular by the specificity of his setting and language (a glossary of Creole words and phrases is appended). The staccato text (“I’m open!” “Pass!” “Shoot!” “Almost”) perfectly captures the intensity and forward propulsion of the action, culminating in an ecstatic cry of “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!” as the sun comes out. Vibrant illustrations, full of movement and saturated with color, match the vigor and excitement of the text. The day winds down with the children heading home to their impatient mamas, baths, and bed—happy to say “Bonswè. Good night” in the knowledge that the game isn’t finished, only paused. An appended note describes the author’s childhood in Saint Lucia; the challenges faced by children such as those in the story; the Creole language; and his continuing love for the “beautiful game.” martha v. parravano

Grades 2-6
Sports Elementary Plus
For Grades 2-6

Welcome to an exciting world of sports-themed fiction and nonfiction sure to win over your elementary sports fans. Have a few reluctant readers? These action-packed titles are a great way to get them in the game. And with 12 books per year, sports fans will be entertained all year long.

14 books per Year
$276.08 per Year
Interests
Biographies,Chapter Books,Fiction,Nonfiction,Positive Messages,Reluctant Readers,Sports
Like this book?
Get more like this every month.
LEARN MORE
Grades 2-6
Sports Elementary Plus
14 books per Year
$276.08 per Year

Other Recommended Titles From Sports Elementary Plus

Sports Elementary Plus

August 2023

Big Book of WHO Baseball

by The Editors of Sports Illustrated Kids

Sports Elementary Plus

July 2023

The Ultimate Goal

by Tommy Greenwald

Sports Elementary Plus

June 2023
Copyright © 2017 Magento, Inc. All rights reserved.11