Young Pele- Soccer’s First Star by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome

To start off, let me say that soccer was and still is my only true sport. I played it from the time I was 7 to present as an adult registered in ladies league. I played other sports like volleyball and basketball but I always knew that soccer was the only sport that truly interested me. That is not to say I was a star by any means. I played on “B” level teams and never made it to play in large national tournaments but, my passion for the game kept me addicted.    
    Young Pelé is a historical biography of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, worldly known as Pelé, one of the world’s greatest soccer players. He lead the Brazil team to victory at the ripe age of seventeen and became the youngest player to ever compete in a world cup. This story follows the life of Edson as a young boy; day dreaming in school, playing with his soccer ball made of rags in his village and gaining confidence and skill as an athlete.
    I found this biography to be very inspiring and relatable. Even though I have never dreamed about playing soccer for a living, I can understand what it means to think about, practice and dedicate yourself to something so much that all you need is for it to become a reality.  As cheesy as it is, I can really say that I daydream about having my own classroom full of youngsters looking up to me, ready to absorb life. During my observation days when the teacher would be conducting a lesson or reading a picture book to the class I was wishing that I could do it instead. I wanted to try it my way so badly. I can’t wait until I have that opportunity everyday. While reading Pelé’s story it made me feel excited and anxious for my dream to become a reality
    I loved the way that it seemed like there was no other option but for Pelé to follow his soccer dreams. It didn’t seem to a conscious choice, rather a necessary action for him. His lacking interest in classroom activities soon turned into skipping school to play soccer and then his team grew to a higher level- it was a whirlwind of events that finally led Pelé and Ameriquinha to the regional tournament. I noticed that the storyline developed and gained pace as Pele’s soccer ambitions and achievements did which added excitement to the text; by the end I strove to learn more about Pelé’s life.
    This is a read that challenges you to think about your dreams and what you see as obstacles blocking your way. I would recommend taking a few minutes to examine the hardships that young Edson faced but learned to overcome with the help of pure ambition and passion which lead him to unbelievable success.