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Keeper (Paul Faustino) Audio CD – Unabridged, February 28, 2011

by Mal Peet (Author), Christopher Lane (Reader)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 227 ratings
See all formats and editions

In a small newspaper office in South America, Paul Faustino, a veteran sports reporter, begins an exclusive interview with El Gato, the World Cup-winning soccer phenom. Over the course of the long night, El Gato tells the story of how an unspectacular teenager in a poor logging town became the world's most accomplished goalkeeper. It is a tale filled with tension, hunger, and magic, set in a mythic corner of the jungle. But above all it is a tale about El Gato's ghostly, but very real mentor: the Keeper.

“A well-written, fast-paced sports story that addresses far more than just the sport itself.” ―School Library Journal

“This haunting tale is full of sports action...An unusual and compelling story.”―KLIATT

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  1. Language
    English
  2. Publisher
    Candlewick on Brilliance Audio
  3. Publication date
    February 28, 2011
  4. Grade level
    7 - 9
  5. Dimensions
    7.13 x 1 x 6.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    145580066X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1455800667
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mal Peet is the author of the Carnegie Medal-winning novel TAMAR, as well the three novels starring reporter Paul Faustino. He lives in Devon, England.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick on Brilliance Audio; Library edition (February 28, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 145580066X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1455800667
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.13 x 1 x 6.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 227 ratings

About the author

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Mal Peet

Mal Peet

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
227 global ratings
Keeper, a tale that transcends beyond football
5 Stars
Keeper, a tale that transcends beyond football
Keeper by Mal Peet is a phenomenal blend of sports fiction and fantasy. My first introduction to the book happened when I was around 13 years old. Fast forward later 14 years or so, I finally purchased the book. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. It was just as good, no, even better than I had remembered. I truly believe Mal Peet has craft a master piece of a story that will stand the test of time. And I really hope that one day in my lifetime the book will be adapted into a film because the potential for it is bountiful. I can cannot recommend this book anymore higherly than I already have. In my opinion, its truly fun and captivating read that can be loved by people of all age groups and regardless of whether or not they are into football.
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Top reviews from the United States

Tonte Awanen
5.0 out of 5 stars Keeper, a tale that transcends beyond football
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
Keeper by Mal Peet is a phenomenal blend of sports fiction and fantasy. My first introduction to the book happened when I was around 13 years old. Fast forward later 14 years or so, I finally purchased the book. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. It was just as good, no, even better than I had remembered. I truly believe Mal Peet has craft a master piece of a story that will stand the test of time. And I really hope that one day in my lifetime the book will be adapted into a film because the potential for it is bountiful. I can cannot recommend this book anymore higherly than I already have. In my opinion, its truly fun and captivating read that can be loved by people of all age groups and regardless of whether or not they are into football.
Customer image
Tonte Awanen
5.0 out of 5 stars Keeper, a tale that transcends beyond football
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2023
Keeper by Mal Peet is a phenomenal blend of sports fiction and fantasy. My first introduction to the book happened when I was around 13 years old. Fast forward later 14 years or so, I finally purchased the book. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. It was just as good, no, even better than I had remembered. I truly believe Mal Peet has craft a master piece of a story that will stand the test of time. And I really hope that one day in my lifetime the book will be adapted into a film because the potential for it is bountiful. I can cannot recommend this book anymore higherly than I already have. In my opinion, its truly fun and captivating read that can be loved by people of all age groups and regardless of whether or not they are into football.
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Bigbee40
5.0 out of 5 stars This is for adults too!
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2011
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This is not just for young adults as the back of the book implies. My son is a 16 year old select soccer player on a top ten team in the state of Washington and he loved it. So my wife read it and she liked it as well. So I read it and was surprised at how entertaining the story was. The mystical, or fantasy element wound around a very realistic story made for a great read. For those who actually play keeper (also called goalie or goalkeeper), the detailed scenes explaining how the keeper "reads" the leaning tendencies of the kicker as he shoots are incredible and actually taught my son, a midfielder, some things about shooting so as not to give away the direction of the shot. Keepers would get the same insights about shooters. And for those not into the esoterics of soccer you will surely enjoy the wonderful storyline of the underdog fighting through adversity.
3 people found this helpful
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Mary M.
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice story
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2014
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I read this book for the schools summer reading program. I am a teacher and a former soccer player and coach. Even though the story as elements of fantasy and the supernatural, and is a sports story, it is, at its core, a story of family, of struggle, of growing up, and of giving back.

The story is told as an interview between the world's best goalkeeper and a reporter. Through a long night of questions and answers, of fantastic stories and life growing up in the rain forest, the man who just helped his country win the biggest game in soccer, the World Cup final, tells the reporter, and US, the readers, what is truly important.

A must read for soccer fans and sports fan. But also a great read for anyone who enjoys a story with a message.
2 people found this helpful
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JTD Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2014
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so I had to read this book for school and when I first saw it I was like oh no it's gonna be those stupid school books that you don't get anything from its. I was completely wrong. The first page got me going and I would finish meals early just so I could go read it. It got you on the edge of your seat like what's gonna happen next? It was s intense but interesting. I got totally recommend this book!
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NormalGolfer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy Soccer
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2012
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The author shares his love and knowledge of this sport in a fantasy about a poor boy who is groomed to be the best Keeper in the world. The writing is so well done that even if you don't know soccer, you can picture the action and cheer for the saves! Imbedded in the story is a political cry to save the Rainforest. That message is effectively delivered but never gets in the way of an exciting story.
2 people found this helpful
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LisaD
5.0 out of 5 stars read in one sitting, couldn't put it down
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2014
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I am a fan of fantasy, not sports stories. And yet, from the opening lines, I was hooked. At its heart, it's the story of finding yourself and of honoring those who come before. Passing this along to my daughter to read!
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S. Stephens
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2017
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Loved this book! Would be great for middle school kids. It has a great story with a sweet twist at the end.
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Lori
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great story for young people
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2015
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This is a great story for young people. The author just passed away in March 2015, which is terribly sad. I wanted to write to him, and tell him thanks for an excellent story.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Bats
5.0 out of 5 stars Magic
Reviewed in Canada on September 24, 2023
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There is something in this book, akin to the euphoric high of knowing you do not have an alarm for the next day, that is gripping and beautiful. I have never, in my entire life, read a book like this. Through delicate, intricate, almost too meticulous writing, Peet seems to have conveyed a story in less than 250 pages that most writers would need 400 for. It doesn't make sense on the surface, how can someone weave words together with the tiniest of details and the most descriptive of passages, and yet, be concise? It's a phenomenal feat, one that I don't think I'll ever see again, or if I do, one that will never stop amazing me.

Peet was a talented writer, and the world is lacking without his presence, but his art remains, ready to be admired and adored.

The book is technically simple, a conversation between two friends, one of whom is a journalist, the other a world-famous soccer player. It is a testament to Peet's talent that this conversation is never lost, nor is it ever too centered. It is neatly placed, thoughtfully crafted, and mimics all the other parts of this book in its deliberateness.

The magical realism YA genre typically is not my thing, especially as I've entered adulthood, but this book truly affected me beyond measure. I am forced to reflect on my life, my hopes, my dreams, my insecurities, and my fears when I read this book. I am forced to ask myself what it is that I want out of life and what it is that I want my life to get out of me.

This short, moving, incredibly written story should be on everyone's shelf. A great gift to anyone above the age of ten. A wonderful buddy read. A lovely book to save for a rainy day.
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Alpha Dal
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story which has stayed relevant over the years
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2021
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I’ve just bought this book again as a present for a little boy I know. I read it to my son years ago and it’s the only book from his childhood which he remembers well and speaks about (occasionally). It’s a mix of football,Amazonian environmentalism,& ghost story. He found it engrossing. What more could you ask for in a book?!
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N. Carter
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book!
Reviewed in Australia on June 11, 2019
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My 12 year old son loved it, the mysterious keeper especially. He is looking forward to reading the second one.
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Affengruber Gustav
5.0 out of 5 stars super
Reviewed in Germany on December 19, 2012
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Artikel gefätt mir sehr gut, werde gerne wieder bei Amazon einkaufen.
Die Bestellungen funktionieren immer reibungslos.
Auch bei Umtausch keine Probleme.
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Don Canavan
5.0 out of 5 stars Its about so much more than football
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2018
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A joyous woven fabric of the most unexpected and eccentric threads. A genuine delight.
I read this as my son was studying it at school. What I thought was the subject didn't interest me,
but Mal Peets style of writing is magical.
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