The Euros are well underway, and I’m sure you are as excited as I am that England have made it to the group of 16! Here’s hoping that “Football’s coming home!” doesn’t just mean we are playing our games at Wembley…
This week’s books all celebrate the beautiful game. There are some fabulous non fiction books from Simon Mugford and Dan Green – the Football Superstars Series, featuring many well loved players including Aguero, Pogba, Rashford and Sterling, and coming out this summer is the Football Quizzes Rule which will really test your knowledge about your favourite clubs and players.
Fantastic Footballers: 40 Inspiring Icons by Jean-Michel Billioud and Almasty celebrates great footballers throughout history from Stanley Matthews to David Beckham and Pele to Neymar. Featuring stats, honours and and the greatest goals of all time, you can learn how these players became the best in the world.
There are some great stories out there about football too. Whether it’s Frank Lampard’s Frankie’s Magic Football series, or Tom Palmer’s Football Academy or Foul Play series there really is something for everyone.
Some of my favourite fiction books are Cyborg Cat: Rise Of The Parson’s Road Gang by Ade Adepitan. Previously shortlisted for the Coventry Inspiration Book Awards, this charts Ade’s arrival in the UK and shines a light on the discipline and perseverance he showed to overcome his fears. It’s a story about standing out, settling in and stepping up from an inspirational Paralympian.
The Mighty Dynamo by Kieran Crowley celebrates football’s ability to bring children together to work as a team. This hilarious book charts Noah’s determination to play in the School’s World Cup, despite being banned from playing for his school team (for something he definitely didn’t do). Great illustrations are dotted through the book, and the player profiles between chapters are a great addition. Packed with humour, emotion, friendship, football and a great ending!
Kick by Mitch Johnson looks at football from a completely different angle. Budi’s plan is simple. He’s going to be a star. Budi’s going to play for the greatest team on earth, instead of sweating over each stitch he sews, each football boot he makes. But one unlucky kick brings Budi’s world crashing down. Now he owes the Dragon, the most dangerous man in Jakarta. Soon it isn’t only Budi’s dreams at stake, but his life. A fast-paced, adrenaline fuelled, action packed story with a conscience. From the very first page until the last, we are immersed into the slums of Jakarta, where dreaming big, hope and heroes, and never letting anything stand in your way keep the difficulties of day to day life at bay where dreaming big, hope and heroes, and never letting anything stand in your way.
And, Eve Ainsworth has brought the first female league to life in her series about the Dick, Kerr Girls. The Perfect Shot is the second book in the series. As the girls embark on their first domestic and international tour against the French Ladies team, Freddie finds he is on a journey of his own, facing up to his mistakes and taking a step to correct them. Can he learn from the vital lesson that the Dick, Kerr Girls have to offer? That team work, communication and friendship can overcome just about anything.
The series also has the companion Dick, Kerr Ladies: Football’s Forgotten Legends by Gail Newsham. Lace up your boots and get ready for kick-off – it’s time discover the true story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies football team, courageous pioneers of women’s football in the UK. From the founding of the team in World War One to the eventual ban of the women’s game by the FA, join the team in their journey to the top of the league. Written by a world authority on the Dick, Kerr Ladies, and featuring original artefacts, and history of the game, this Companion Guide is a must for any football fan. Gail is a former footballer and lives in Preston. She’s 100% dedicated to bringing this remarkable story to younger readers. The Dick, Kerr Ladies: the greatest sporting heroes you’ve never heard of.