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The power of football to transform a boy’s life makes a roller coaster story line to this touching novel of how Makis, newly arrived in London from a Greek island destroyed by an earthquake, builds a new life for himself through his prowess at football. Set in 1950s London, Aftershock is both tender as it describes how Makis helps his mother adapt to their new life and optimistic about how children adapt and flourish in new situations.
A submarine ingeniously disguised as a floating island, and a state of the art training programme designed to turn five ordinary kids into sporting superstars – Atlantis United is a highly original and intriguing action adventure story. Joe, Kim, Craig, Ajit and Jess enjoy their different sports, but are conscious that they’re certainly not the best in their teams – so why the interest in them by the stranger in the black hat watching their games? Turns out he is a scout but for a really unusual operation – a maverick billionaire business man has created an amazing but top secret programme for junior athletes based on the latest scientific and sports thinking. The sporting detail is fascinating, while tension rises when the kids notice a strange drone spying on them – could they be in danger?
Shortlisted for the CLPE Children’s Poetry Award (CLiPPA) 2017 | Nick is football mad, finding more poetry, more to stimulate him on the soccer field and with a ball at his feet than he ever does in books. This doesn’t go down well with his father, a linguistics professor with ‘chronic verbomania’, but at least his best friend understands. Cody and Nick are on opposing football teams but the same side for everything else, including facing up to the school bullies. When he’s hit by the twin blows of an injury and the news that his parents are separating however, Nick is surprised to find real comfort in books. Booked is written in free verse, like the author’s previous novel The Crossover, and the form brilliantly catches the energy and ups and downs of Nick’s life, giving his story an immediacy that helps make this irresistible reading. If Booked sends readers looking for more verse novels Sarah Crossan’s The Weight of Water is also excellent while Pete Kalu’s Silent Striker books are great on football and teen life. ~ Andrea Reece
Charlie is the captain of the local youth team, North Star Galaxy. He eats, sleeps, and breathes football. But when Colts steal all of North Star's best players, it's up to Charlie and his friends to save the team... Told in Charlie's own words and doodles - this book will make you laugh, groan, and cheer!
In a nutshell: ghosts and football in an exciting, thought-provoking story Tom Palmer’s Defenders series cleverly mixes ghost stories and football and uses past events to throw light on our world. Seth’s mum is waiting to hear if she’s clear of the cancer she’s been treated for and the two are having a weekend in Cornwall to escape the pressure. It’s a peaceful place but with his ghost sight Seth is aware of a violent incident that took place there thousands of years ago and which still resonates. That was born out of suspicion and mistrust of new arrivals, and when he meets two young Syrian refugees now living in the town, Seth realises what needs to change. The story will grip young readers from start to finish, and make them think about their own place in the world. In Barrington Stoke style, it’s accessible to all readers. ~ Andrea Reece The Defenders is a spooky new series that combines the thrills of football, history and supernatural sleuthing and marks Tom’s continuing exploration of his passions. He says: “For years I’ve written about my obsessions with football and rugby. Now I am obsessed with history. One thing I always say to children who ask me for advice on becoming an author, is to write about what they are passionate about. That’s what I’m doing now.” Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Aspiring young football fans will love this wild and witty new illustrated series, which matches the buzz and action of the premiership with cool dinosaur characters. Terry Triceratops is the manager of Dino FC but he’s a dead-dino walking. With the team bottom of the Premiership, chairman danny Deinonychus drafts in hard-hitting fitness trainer Hans Hadrosaur to whip the dinos back into shape. If they don’t avoid the drop, Terry faces the sack but a win against Jurassic Parak Rangers just might save them from extinction.
Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8 Baljit – Jit to his school friends – helps out in his father’s chippy but dreams of playing football in the Premier League. When he’s given a chance to take part in open trials for under-16s in front of scouts for the big teams, he knows he has to be there, even though it will mean lying to his mum and dad. This feel-good story successfully mixes drama, comedy and even a bit of romance (Jit ends up with the girl of his dreams as well as invites to attend second trials at Arsenal and Liverpool), while the descriptions of Jit’s home life, and relationships with his friends, are particularly warm and satisfying. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range. ................................. Read a special Q&A with Bali Rai on his book, Game On.
A warm-hearted story full of hopes and dreams told by Casey who loves to dance. Casey’s passion leaps off the page as with a combination of hard work and talent she pursues her dream to dance in New York. Casey’s enthusiasm for dancing is infectious and the story of how she gets what she wants is delightfully entertaining.
April 2012 Book of the Month A boy, an alien and football - without any shadow of doubt it's a match made in heaven for boys in particular and if you have a reluctant reader in the house aged from 6-9 then you just might get him or her reading as a result of EEEK! Apart from the storyline being a real page-turner it's also laugh-out-loud funny. Just how and why a football mad alien turns up on Charlie's doorstep one day and stays with him will have you in stitches. Eeek may be fluorescent green with smoke coming out of his ears but just like ET he's a wonderfully loveable alien, but this time for the 21st century. By Theo Barker - aged 7: I loved the football in this book and I also loved the alien because he was so funny. The alien is just like a human boy apart from being tidy because he loves football and gets very excited when he is watching the matches. He is very good at hiding himself so only a few people know that there is an alien. The book is very funny and mummy was even laughing when she was reading it and we were all shocked by the surprise at the end. I will definitely tell my friends about this book - it is great. If you've enjoyed Eeek, then check out the author's other story for 7+ year olds called The Secret Lake.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Light-hearted, fun football story. Danny, Jamil and Lewis are delighted when a football legend agrees to coach their team, but he's not exactly what they expected... Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 8+ This book is also available to read via the Barrington Stoke 'Tints' App. Find out more here.
In 3: gymnastics – friendships – competition Junior gymnast Tara has a lot to juggle when she’s asked to take part in a regional competition. There are all the moves to learn with her partner Lindsay, but Tara has just started secondary school too. Fitting in gym practice and homework is difficult, and doesn’t leave much time for anything else, such as seeing her other friends. Janes Lawes does a great job at describing the rewards of following a sport, as well as the challenges, and readers will be happy to see that Tara finds a way to achieve balance between her sport, friends and school. A satisfying story that is good on the thrills and spills of competition. ~ Andrea Reece A message from Olympic medal winner Beth Tweddle. Dear Reader, Like Tara in Gym Stars I dreamed of becoming a world-class gymnast and joined my local gym club. Tara’s story reminds me of my early days of training and the thrill of entering my first big competition. I hope you enjoy reading about Tara as much as I have and if you want to become a gym star too – go for it! With focus, talent and dedication your dreams really can come true… Love, Beth Tweddle x
Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8 Young footballer Baljit, the hero of Bali Rai’s Dream On, is preparing for a trial with Liverpool FC’s youth squad – something he’s dreamed of all his life. But there’s lots else going on in Baljit’s life – his girlfriend is worried that she’ll lose him; his best friend Danny’s hopes of a career in football may have been ended; and there’s a racist thug out to get him. Can Baljit work out a way to follow his dream without harming the people who matter to him most? Football-mad readers will love this, but so will anyone who likes their fiction fast-paced, involving and firmly rooted in contemporary life. I’ve really got to like Baljit and his family, and hope there’ll be more stories about them to come. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range. ...................................... Read a special Q&A with Bali Rai on his book, Game On.
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