Part 1: Pelé's Childhood

Summary
Pele grew up in the streets of Brazil. His family struggled with the constant worry about money and the problems it caused in their household. Pelé Didn't own a pair of shoes until he was seven years old, and didn't play with a real soccer ball until he was 10. Until he was ten, Pele played with socks stuffed with newspaper and rags as a soccer ball with his friends. Pele's talent in playing soccer was natural for him and he was extremely passionate and loved playing the sport. His father played competitively and was moving up the ladder of Brazilian soccer clubs. A knee injury soon caused him to never be able to play soccer at the same level again.

Pele celebrating his goals

An old homemade soccer ball

                       




Review:
 I really enjoy reading this book so far! Reading about the ways that Pele grew up playing soccer without real soccer gear or even shoes is amazing. It is stunning to discover how a man who grew up in a poor household could end up chasing his dream and eventually becoming one of the world's best soccer players. It really goes to show that you do not need to be wealthy in order to succeed in life. With the talent and motivation to reach his goals, Pele made a dream into a reality. James Buckley does a great job at describing the lifestyle that Pele grew up in. The way he writes about the journey from playing in the dirt covered streets of Brazil, to playing on the Brazilian World Cup team when he was only 17 is brilliant. Each page invites you more and more into the steps that Pele took as a young athlete toward making a run at a professional soccer playing career.

Pele in his first World Cup

 Focus:
This weeks reading focus was on "questions."  

How did Pele make it to the Professional level of soccer?  Was his trip to fame hard, or well earned? Will he be chosen to take part on the Brazilian World Cup team? How was Pele discovered and what club did he play for as a teenager?  

Sources:
Here's a link to Pele's wikipedia page. And another to Pele's First World Cup. Both are very interesting and show just how great of a contribution Pele was on the teams he played for.