The Soccer Fence by Phil Bildner -ADVISABLE

Bildner, Phil and Illustrated by Watson, Jesse The Soccer Fence: A Story of Friendship, Hope and Apartheid in South Africa 40 pgs. Putnam Juvenile, 2014. $16.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G.

This story set in the 1990s of South Africa, where apartheid (segregation) is a way of life. For a young boy named Hector, this is most evident in his love of soccer. He isn’t allowed to play soccer with the white boys on their pristine fields of grass. But when Nelson Mandela is freed from prison and elected as President, Hectors entire family celebrates. The entire nation is swept up and united in their love of soccer. Hector finds himself with a new friend and teammate.
This was a fantastic well woven story of historical events and Nelson Mandela’s powerful role in them. The illustration are bold, creative, and unique. This book is wonderful teaching tool, as it would take instruction to make this story accessible by students. I will be promoting this book to the teachers at my school.
EL –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.