Book OLIKA: Dog on the field!
QUESTIONS ABOUT WINNING AND LOSING
1. Just as Charlotte is about to shoot at the goal, a dog runs onto the pitch. How does that make Charlotte feel? If you are interrupted when you are doing something important, how does it feel? Is there a difference in who interrupts, and for what reason? Why?
2. Charlotte thinks that Ekby must win the series. Why do you think it is so important for her to win? Do you think winning is important? Have you ever felt like Charlotte's mom: that winning has become so important that it's stopped being fun? Would you let someone else win to be nice? Do you think someone has done that for you?
3. After the first half, the players in IF Ekby are very tired, but coach Amanda peps them up. How else do you think the match would have gone? What would you say to the team if you wanted to pep them up? When was the last time you cheered someone on? How do you feel when you pep someone up?
4. Puff the dog becomes the team's mascot. Why do you think one would want a mascot? If you had your own mascot, what would it look like and be like? If the class had a mascot, what do you think it would be?
Exercise: Create your own mascot for the class or each mascot. Draw, sew or carpentry as you like, time and taste! Talk together about what a mascot is good for, how it can be loaded with value and when you might consider using it for support.
5. IF Ekby wins the series! How do you think it feels to be in such a heap of joy as they have in the book? Why do you think one wants to be close to the rest of the team when one has won? How do you feel when you win something? Do you think there is a difference in winning something by yourself or as a team?
6. Amanda talked about visualization. What does it mean? Have you ever used visualization, perhaps without knowing it? What do you usually fantasize about being able to do?
QUESTIONS ABOUT INJURIES AND HEALING
1. When the dog runs onto the field, Charlotte trips. Why do you think she doesn't feel that she has hurt herself at first? Have you ever forgotten that you have been in pain? What made you forget? Do you think it is good or bad to forget that one is in pain? Why?
2. Charlotte gets an appointment at the health centre. Have you been to a health center? Why were you there? How did it feel to be there? What kind of people are there who work at a health center? Do you know the difference between a health center and a hospital?
Exercise: Make study visits in small groups at your nearest health center (note - make sure to agree so that you are welcome). Prepare by looking together at who works at a health center, who is needed for it to function? Janitors, doctors, nurses, receptionists, janitors...? Then give the students the task of individually or in small groups interviewing one of the people who work there, and each write a short text about the person in their professional role. Feel free to prepare questions together about what might be interesting to know. (If you have the opportunity, you can also photograph the people and put the picture next to the text, as a report.) Don't you have the opportunity to visit a health center? Make a joint inventory of who might be expected to work there, this makes visible the many different kinds of professions that exist.
3. Why couldn't Soraya train for a whole month? What do you think about playing "ugly"? Why do you think some do it? Do you know of any other sports where injuries occur? What can one do to avoid injury?
4. What happens when Puff the dog has eaten too much cake? Do you know any other food that dogs shouldn't eat? What do you think a dog wants to eat when celebrating something? What do you want to eat when you celebrate something?
ABOUT FUNCTIONAL DISABILITIES
In the vast majority of children's books, people with disabilities are conspicuous by their absence. When they are allowed to participate from time to time, the book often deals with the disability or some problem with it is highlighted. It is even more unusual that the people with disabilities portrayed are not white or ethnically Swedish. In order for us to be able to see beyond a disability and instead see the person behind it, we need obvious and equal portrayals in children's books, and in all types of media. In this book, Julia's father, coach Amir, has a wheelchair. His disability is portrayed in an obvious and unproblematic way. We also learn that he has fled Kurdistan. Running away is something that many children in Sweden have experience of today (themselves or through the family), and it is important that that experience is reflected in an inclusive way in our literature.
ABOUT GIRLS & FOOTBALL
Despite soccer being one of the biggest sports for girls, there are almost no books that reflect them. However, there are many books about boys who play football. Like other things in society, like media attention, awards and galas etc., this gives a signal to girls about how we value their interest. It is no coincidence that women have a much harder time making a living from their gambling than men. There is also a tendency to let books where girls play soccer focus on other things, like makeup, love, or other relationship drama. In the books about Charlotte, it is football that is central, although of course exciting moments and interesting relationships are woven into it. The books are also based on a real person, which indicates that it is possible to bet on football as a career - both for girls and for boys.
