Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Faust
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Super graphic novel bio of a soccer superstar and his world.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
A poor Brazilian boy becomes an international soccer superstar in PELÉ: THE KING OF SOCCER. According to this nonfiction graphic novel, Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Dico, for short) could not go to school, worked instead, and played soccer with a ball made of rags. He advanced rapidly in the sport, and, at age 16, with a new nickname, Pelé, joined the national team and went to his first of five World Cup competitions. Detailed play-by-play descriptions of pivotal games leave room for insights into how Pelé struggled with the pressures of stardom. Interspersed is an introduction to the history of Brazil and its impact on his life. In his later years, Pelé finally went to school, worked on behalf of children through U.N. organizations, and supported the Special Olympics. He also fought to end corruption in international soccer, and, in government, he tried to help Brazilian children get more opportunities. Pelé truly loved soccer and declared that "it wants nothing more than to bring us together to share something magical—whatever our origins, the color of our skin, our status in society."
Is It Any Good?
Fans of soccer, graphic novels, and human-interest stories will be drawn to this winning biography of a soccer superstar. Pelé: The King of Soccer covers personal events, emotional ups and downs, and the greater contexts of Brazilian life and global sport. Pelé's trajectory from poor kid to international idol makes for a moving tale of triumph and tragedy. There's lots of exciting play-by-play, especially around the World Cup competitions. There are also many insights into how identity, poverty and politics impacted Pelé's life. His failings and flaws are not excused but handled with empathy. Early on, Pelé's father shared his passion for the game with his son along with an insistence on humility, a point that might make for a worthwhile discussion about how and why we show pride. Note that French author Eddy Simon occasionally relies on racial tropes in inventing a fictionalized inner life for Pelé, and some factual inaccuracies and possible translation issues may give readers pause (see Diverse Representations for more details). Aside from these concerns, this is a super biography of a soccer legend in vibrant art that's full of movement and energy, and a loving ode to Pelé and soccer, a global game that at its best brings the world together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk aout Pelé: The King of Soccer and discuss the game. Do kids in your community play soccer? Do you? Some kids love soccer and others do not. How do you feel about the game?
Pelé made mistakes in his life, but he learned from them. Have you ever made a mistake and then learned something important? If so, did you grow from the experience?
Pelé had to show courage and perseverance to become a star and perform at the highest level. Have you ever had to show courage and/or perseverance to meet a goal or challenge?
Even as a star, Pelé had to work with others in order for the team to do its best. In other words, he practiced teamwork. Are you on any sports team? Have you worked together with people at school or at home to get something done, solve a problem, or meet a goal? If so, when, where, and how?
In this biography, some sentences are factual (the number of goals Pelé scored) and some are the author's stereotypical interpretations (Pelé gets his warrior spirit from his ancestors). Why is it important to distinguish between facts and an author's interpretations? How can you spot a stereotype, especially one that sounds like it might be a compliment?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Vincent Brascaglia
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Activism , Sports ( Soccer ) , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Humility , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : First Second
- Publication date : October 24, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 144
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : June 15, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
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