Book guide: Pass the ball! shouts Kosse
QUESTIONS OF TRUTH, RELATIONSHIPS AND CONFLICTS
1. Kosse does not tell his brothers that the ball has landed on the ground when they compete to see who can keep it going the longest. What do you think about it? Have you ever done something like that? How did it feel?
2. Kosse persuades his friend Emma to play football. Emma would rather do other things. Have you persuaded someone to do something? What happened then? Have you been persuaded? How did it feel?
3. The neighbor Antonio is kind. But Kosse is still a little scared and looks down at the ground. Why do you think she does that?
4. Kosse encourages her friend Emma to become a better goalkeeper. How do you think you can encourage a friend so that he develops and becomes better?
5. Emine and Felicia play on the same field as Kosse and Emma. But they are not very nice. Why do you think Emine and Felicia are the way they are towards Kosse and Emma? How could they have done instead?
6. Gym coach Sepideh tells Kosse that she should look after the others on her team as well. What do you think about how Kosse plays in this book? What is okay and what is not okay, do you think? How do you think a good team should work?
7. When Kosse is going to thank Felicia after the match, she thinks about saying something shitty. But she doesn't. Why do you think it wouldn't have felt good for Kosse to be dirty? How do you think one should treat those who do not play fair? What is a good winner?
QUESTIONS ABOUT INTERESTS AND JOBS
1. At the beginning of the book, Kosse is bored out on the farm. What do you usually do when you don't have a friend to hang out with?
2. When Kosse looks at the adults playing, she thinks she is better than they are. Do you think you are good at something? Is there something you would like to be good at?
3. The neighbor Antonio has "green fingers" and likes tinkering in the garden. Is there something you particularly enjoy doing?
4. Kosse and her brothers prepare food and tablecloths so that they can eat when the parents come home from work with their little sister. Do you usually do something at home? Like cleaning, cooking or looking after a sibling? Is there something that you think is fun to do at home?
ON DETERMINATION
Being sure of what one thinks and wants and finding it easy to express it clearly is a quality that most people benefit from. But because of our gender norms, there tend to be more boys who practice these skills, and in books, boys are more often portrayed that way. Being able to identify what you want and being able to say it doesn't have to preclude the ability to listen to what others want, nor does it have to be about always having to get your way. All children, regardless of gender, need support in developing both to express their will and to listen, the ability to give space to others and to be able to compromise is an important part of the democratic work at school. In this book, Kosse is a person who gets to express abilities in his personality that are otherwise more often reflected in boy characters.
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 Kosse, 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 – regardless of gender identity.
