What’s inside...
Meet Saka - Ultimate Football Hero is part of the Ultimate Football Heroes series, which profiles the life stories of the world's top footballers from their early days to professional success. This book focuses on Bukayo Saka, the young Arsenal forward who has quickly risen to prominence and played a key role in helping his team win the FA Cup for a record 14th time. The book chronicles his journey from a child in Ealing to representing England in the Euro 2020 final, overcoming challenges to become a national football hero. The series is known for its engaging, action-packed narrative style, making it enjoyable for the whole family.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-8
Length
123 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Saka's passion influence his dedication to soccer? Can you think of something you are passionate about and how it makes you feel?
What obstacles did Saka face in the story, and how did he overcome them? Have you ever faced a difficult situation and how did you handle it?
Saka showed leadership on and off the field. What does being a leader mean to you, and can you share an example of when you were a leader?
How do Saka’s relationships with his family and friends impact his growth in the story? How do your friends and family help you grow?
Saka learned from both success and failures. What is one lesson you've learned from a mistake or a success?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to draw parallels between their experiences and Saka’s, fostering a deeper connection to the story.
Highlight the value of perseverance shown by Saka, and relate it to real-life scenarios your child might face, emphasizing that setbacks can be stepping stones to success.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and community support as illustrated in the book, and encourage your child to share personal experiences of working within a team.
Use Saka's story to inspire your child to discuss their dreams and the steps they can take to achieve them, just like Saka did with soccer.
Create a supportive environment where your child feels comfortable sharing their feelings and experiences that relate to the themes in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: In 'Saka', the protagonist faces challenges but does not give up, consistently working hard to overcome obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by continuing to work hard in school or in learning new skills, even when they face difficulties.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story emphasizes the importance of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, as Saka and his teammates work together on the field.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to cooperate with their peers during group activities or team sports, understanding that collective effort often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Respect
Explanation: Respect for coaches, teammates, and opponents is a central theme, demonstrating how Saka values and honors these relationships.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in a child’s interactions at school and in extracurricular activities, promoting a respectful attitude towards authority figures and peers.
Example Lesson: Handling Success and Failure
Explanation: The book portrays how Saka handles both successes and failures gracefully, learning from each experience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to accept their victories and setbacks with grace, using them as learning experiences to improve and grow.
Example Lesson: Goal Setting
Explanation: Saka sets clear goals for himself, both on and off the field, which guides his actions and decisions.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to set their own goals, whether academic or personal, and understand the value of having ambitions to work towards.