Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Understated, affecting glimpse of child's life under Stalin.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In Stalin-era Russia, a boy named Arcady has lived in state-run "homes" for orphans since his parents were arrested when he was a toddler. He's the best soccer player in his camp, playing for food rations with makeshift goals. When inspectors visit, Arcady is told to impress them with his talent – until one of the inspectors halts the violent game. The inspector, Ivan Ivanych, returns to adopt Arcady, who hopes Ivanych is really a soccer coach who will help him achieve his dream: to play on the Red Army Soccer Team. Ivanych proves a disappointment as a soccer coach, but his heart -- and his yearning to live and love fully -- are a revelation for Arcady.
Is It Any Good?
Yelchin, whose personal history is entwined with Russia's, writes with great compassion. In ARCADY'S GOAL, Yelchin revisits the frightening, traumatic period he wrote about in Breaking Stalin's Nose. His narrator this time is a bold boy the government would like to keep hidden away, but his audacious personality and talent are hard to contain. Arcady needs some softening, and Ivanych needs some strength. There's no miraculous perfect ending in store for them -- just the quiet happiness of a connection that preserves their humanity and hope.
Yelchin's nuanced, intriguing black-and-white illustrations underscore the emotional resonance of the story. A sequence of three full-spread illustrations as Arcady settles into his new life is particularly graceful and touching.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how fiction can deepen our understanding of history. What did you learn about this period of Russian history from reading the book?
Is Ivan Ivanych overly fearful,or appropriately wary?
How do the illustrations complement the narrative?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Eugene Yelchin
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
- Publication date : October 14, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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