Rock ’n’ Goal

Robby Madison’s life hit rock bottom when his older brother and idol, Ricky, died after a tough battle with sickness. Without his brother by his side, Robby spends his days in sadness, where “everything reminded [him] that Ricky was gone.” However, when Robby’s school counselor, Mrs. McDaniels, encourages him to join the soccer team, Robby fears it won’t improve his attitude. Even worse, he doesn’t think he’s good enough to help the team win games. Will Robby discover the courage to play soccer and find peace with his brother’s death? 

Rock ’n’ Goal is an emotionally captivating graphic novel that explores the importance of never giving up while also painting a realistic portrayal of the effects of a significant death. From Robby’s perspective, the story accurately represents Robby and his journey after Ricky’s death, highlighting Robby’s inability to find happiness in friendships, school, or hobbies. His character experiences immense development throughout the book, especially during the soccer season, when he learns the importance of perseverance and acceptance of his past. However, the story shines in its genuine characterization of Robby and the difficulty of death, making it highly relatable to readers who have experienced the same hardships. 

The story presents an important lesson on perseverance and never giving up. Much of the book’s conflict arises from Robby’s inability to play goalkeeper well, and he nearly quits the team after dismal performances. However, by playing the memories and music from his brother Ricky, he finally accepts his brother’s passing and finds joy in playing soccer, especially with his brother’s song “NEVER GIVE UP” playing in his head. Robby’s experience teaches readers that despite life’s difficulties, they can overcome their trials through hard work, accepting the past, and finding what best helps them. 

Rock ’n’ Goal is written in an exciting graphic novel format. Each page contains one to six panels in a simple, colorful art style, helping readers visualize the characters and settings easily. The text boxes are also clear and straightforward, utilizing two to three sentences and changing color to differentiate dialogue and narration. Although the graphic novel remains relatively simple concerning its layout, omitting more advanced aspects like “splashes” or “bleeds,” its variety of color and easy readability fit perfectly with its basic story. 

Rock ’n’ Goal is part of a series called the Jake Maddox Graphic Novel series, which focuses on essential lessons in sports and competition. Alongside its illustrations, the story includes supplementary content, such as a glossary, a section about goalkeepers, and “visual discussion questions,” which ask the reader to identify how the art style coincides with its specific scene. While the book has inviting illustrations and a simple story, it also touches on some deeper themes, such as the death of a family member, which may invite good discussions between readers and adults. Overall, Rock ’n’ Goal tells an uplifting soccer tale with an invitation to explore deeper themes and characterization.  

Sexual Content 

• None 

Violence 

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol 

• None 

Language 

• None 

Supernatural 

• None 

Spiritual Content 

• None