Arcady's Goal

Reach for this book when your child is feeling the weight of high expectations, struggling with the concept of fairness, or needs to see how passion and talent can be a lifeline in difficult circumstances. Set in a Soviet labor camp for children, Arcady's Goal follows a young boy whose remarkable soccer skills offer him a slim chance at a new life through adoption. It is a poignant exploration of what it means to be a 'son of an enemy of the people' and the transformative power of a second chance. The story handles themes of systemic injustice and the deep yearning for family with a light but honest touch. While the setting is historically bleak, the emotional core is one of resilience and the blooming of an unlikely bond between a lonely boy and a man with his own secrets. It is ideal for middle-grade readers who enjoy sports stories but are ready for more complex historical and social dimensions. You might choose it to help your child process feelings of isolation or to discuss how character is defined by our choices rather than our circumstances.