“I learned that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not.” At the age of eight, Kaká already knew what he wanted in life: to play soccer and only soccer. He started playing in front of his friends and family, but when he suffered a crippling injury, doctors told him he would never play again. Through faith and perseverance Kaká recovered, and today he plays in front of thousands of fans every year. As the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year and winner of the Ballon d’Or, this midfielder for Real Madrid has become one of the most recognized faces on the soccer field.
**
From Booklist
Kaká is one of Brazil’s top soccer players. Currently playing for Real Madrid, he made his reputation with AC Milan. Unlike players who cultivate a tough-guy image, Kaká is deeply and openly religious and supports numerous humanitarian causes. Jones covers all of this, along with Kaká’s years in the extensive Brazilian player-development system, while interspersed sidebars delve into related subjects, such as why Brazilian players are often known by just one name. More pictures and descriptions of game action would have been welcome, and the biography occasionally becomes bogged down by mundane facts and redundancy; for example, Kaká’s unprepossessing disposition is mentioned with almost distracting frequency. Still, this is a solid, well-rounded effort, and with this being a World Cup year, players such as Kaká will undoubtedly receive more American media attention, creating a high demand for this and other similar biographies. Grades 5-8. --Todd Morning
Review
Kaká is one of Brazil’s top soccer players. Currently playing for Real Madrid, he made his reputation with AC Milan. Unlike some players who cultivate a tough-guy image, Kaká is deeply and openly religious and supports numerous humanitarian causes. Jones covers all of this, along with Kaká’s years in the extensive Brazilian player-development system, while interspersed sidebars delve into related subjects, such as why Brazilian players are often known by just one name. More pictures and descriptions of game action would have been welcome, and the biography occasionally becomes bogged down by mundane facts and redundancy; for example, Kaká’s unprepossessing disposition is mentioned with almost distracting frequency. Still, this is a solid, well-rounded effort, and with this being a World Cup year, players such as Kaká will undoubtedly receive more American media attention, creating a high demand for this and other similar biographies. -- Kaká is one of Brazil’s top soccer players. Currently playing for Real Madrid, he made his reputation with AC Milan. Unlike some players who cultivate a tough-guy image, Kaká is deeply and openly religious and supports numerous humanitarian causes. Jones covers all of this, along with Kaká’s years in the extensive Brazilian player-development system, while interspersed sidebars delve into related subjects, such as why Brazilian players are often known by just one name. More pictures and descriptions of game action would have been welcome, and the biography occasionally becomes bogged down by mundane facts and redundancy; for example, Kaká’s unprepossessing disposition is mentioned with almost distracting frequency. Still, this is a solid, well-rounded effort, and with this being a World Cup year, players such as Kaká will undoubtedly receive more American media attention, creating a high demand for this and other similar biographies. (Booklist)
Description:
“I learned that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not.” At the age of eight, Kaká already knew what he wanted in life: to play soccer and only soccer. He started playing in front of his friends and family, but when he suffered a crippling injury, doctors told him he would never play again. Through faith and perseverance Kaká recovered, and today he plays in front of thousands of fans every year. As the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year and winner of the Ballon d’Or, this midfielder for Real Madrid has become one of the most recognized faces on the soccer field.
**
From Booklist
Kaká is one of Brazil’s top soccer players. Currently playing for Real Madrid, he made his reputation with AC Milan. Unlike players who cultivate a tough-guy image, Kaká is deeply and openly religious and supports numerous humanitarian causes. Jones covers all of this, along with Kaká’s years in the extensive Brazilian player-development system, while interspersed sidebars delve into related subjects, such as why Brazilian players are often known by just one name. More pictures and descriptions of game action would have been welcome, and the biography occasionally becomes bogged down by mundane facts and redundancy; for example, Kaká’s unprepossessing disposition is mentioned with almost distracting frequency. Still, this is a solid, well-rounded effort, and with this being a World Cup year, players such as Kaká will undoubtedly receive more American media attention, creating a high demand for this and other similar biographies. Grades 5-8. --Todd Morning
Review
Kaká is one of Brazil’s top soccer players. Currently playing for Real Madrid, he made his reputation with AC Milan. Unlike some players who cultivate a tough-guy image, Kaká is deeply and openly religious and supports numerous humanitarian causes. Jones covers all of this, along with Kaká’s years in the extensive Brazilian player-development system, while interspersed sidebars delve into related subjects, such as why Brazilian players are often known by just one name. More pictures and descriptions of game action would have been welcome, and the biography occasionally becomes bogged down by mundane facts and redundancy; for example, Kaká’s unprepossessing disposition is mentioned with almost distracting frequency. Still, this is a solid, well-rounded effort, and with this being a World Cup year, players such as Kaká will undoubtedly receive more American media attention, creating a high demand for this and other similar biographies. -- Kaká is one of Brazil’s top soccer players. Currently playing for Real Madrid, he made his reputation with AC Milan. Unlike some players who cultivate a tough-guy image, Kaká is deeply and openly religious and supports numerous humanitarian causes. Jones covers all of this, along with Kaká’s years in the extensive Brazilian player-development system, while interspersed sidebars delve into related subjects, such as why Brazilian players are often known by just one name. More pictures and descriptions of game action would have been welcome, and the biography occasionally becomes bogged down by mundane facts and redundancy; for example, Kaká’s unprepossessing disposition is mentioned with almost distracting frequency. Still, this is a solid, well-rounded effort, and with this being a World Cup year, players such as Kaká will undoubtedly receive more American media attention, creating a high demand for this and other similar biographies. (Booklist)