Head to Head
Head to Head
Emika tried not to think about missing so many corner kicks in a row. Or that Maram seemed to be trying to take her place. She stood by the post and focused on getting ready to score.
The rain started to fall even harder. Maram raised her arm. Some of the players jostled against each other. Others cut and turned into different spots, trying to lose their checks.
Maram belted the ball with a thwack! It soared high, then curved sharply toward the goal.
Emika braced herself. The ball started to drop. Emika shuffled two quick steps to the right. She leaped off one leg and clenched her fists. As the wet ball hit her forehead, she jerked her neck just enough to direct it into the net.
“Beautiful header, Emika!” Kelly said.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Rosa pointed at Emika. “That’s using failure as your fuel!”
Rosa called over to Maram. “You sure have been practising. What a corner! My dad calls that a banana kick. Curves in the air like a banana.”
Coach Garcia looked at Maram, then at Emika. “You two work well together,” she said. She flashed a strange smile at Rosa.
Emika groaned under her breath. She wished it had been anyone but Maram at the other end of the play.
Head to Head, written by Jennifer Manuel, is a story about leadership and questions what makes a good leader. It also looks at relationships and what makes a team.
Rosa, the beloved team captain of Emika’s soccer team, is moving with her family. To replace her, Rosa suggests that the coach appoint Emika and Maram as co-captains. Before Rosa leaves, she gives both girls a book written by Abby Wambach, the captain of the US women’s soccer team. Unfortunately, Emika and Maram do not like each other, and the idea of working together seems like an impossibility. Instead of trying to mend their relationship, Emika instead tries to turn her other teammates against Maram. This approach backfires, and the tension between Emika and Maram seems to be tearing the team apart. It isn’t until Emika truly begins to give Maram the benefit of the doubt that Emika begins to see that the team can gain from their working together as co-captains.
Head to Head is a good read about teamsmanship, fair play and winners and losers.
Highly Recommended
Christina Pike is the principal of Macdonald Drive Junior High in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Christina Pike is the principal of Macdonald Drive Junior High in St. John’s, Newfoundland.