Jackrabbit Goalie

Jackrabbit Goalie

Author: Matt Christopher
Illustrator: Ed Parker
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: None
Grade Level: 2nd-4th 

Jackrabbit Goalie follows Pepper Pride after her moved from Columbus, Ohio to a brand new neighborhood. He overhears some young boys talking about their soccer team. Pepper Pride ends up lying about his abilities in order to gain a spot on the team as their goalie. When practice gets hard, he begins to wonder if the effort is really worth it. He decides that it is simply because he had made new friends. When his new team has a tough game coming up, he thinks about either admitting to his team that he isn't a real goalie or about ditching the game. Pepper lies about an injury so that he does not have to play in the big game. When he is fishing he realizes that he should be there with his team and try his very best. Pepper Pride ends up going to the game and his team ends up winning. 

This book can be used in the classroom to teach about teamwork. One could use it to show students how you often can not accomplish a large goal without the help and support of your friends.