Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Soccer Diaries: Rocky Takes L.A. by Tom Palmer

The Soccer Diaries is a new series from Tom Palmer following talented 14 year old footballer Rocky Race as she takes on the world! In Rocky Takes L.A., Rocky has been invited to attend a high-level football camp in California. She's nervous about leaving her mum and everything that's familiar to her but knows it's… Continue reading The Soccer Diaries: Rocky Takes L.A. by Tom Palmer

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Invaluable Books from Barrington Stoke

Barrington Stoke can always be relied on to create entertaining, meaningful, empathy-filled stories that are accessible and empowering for readers. With dyslexia-friendly font, spacing and page tint, everyone can enjoy these wonderful books. The manageable length and carefully chosen vocabulary encourages success and brings children back for more. All About Ella by Sally Nicholls &… Continue reading Invaluable Books from Barrington Stoke

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult

Sudden Death: A Roy of the Rovers Novel by Tom Palmer & Elkys Nova

Perfect for football lovers in Year 6+, Sudden Death is another powerful Roy Race & the Rovers story. It is full of hard work, training, match strategy and team dynamics, bringing the reality of professional football to life on the page. Readers will be carried away in the action, feeling every high and every low.… Continue reading Sudden Death: A Roy of the Rovers Novel by Tom Palmer & Elkys Nova

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult

Edgar and Adolf by Phil Earle & Michael Wagg

Edgar and Adolf is a beautiful story published by Oxford University Press in association with Barrington Stoke. It is the perfect combination of a rich, heartfelt story with accessible vocabulary, spacing and font. This story bridges the gap between middle grade and young adult wonderfully and  I can already think of so many children with… Continue reading Edgar and Adolf by Phil Earle & Michael Wagg

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Dog that Saved the World (Cup) by Phil Earle & illustrated by Elissa Paganelli

Written from the charming point of view of Pickles the dog, The Dog that Saved the World (Cup) is a wonderful combination of a fun football story and a powerful, empathetic look at child poverty in the UK. Pickles thinks football is the best thing in the world. He, Dad and Elsie make a great… Continue reading The Dog that Saved the World (Cup) by Phil Earle & illustrated by Elissa Paganelli

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Roy of the Rovers: Rocky by Tom Palmer & illustrated by Dan Cornwell

Roy of the Rovers: Rocky by Tom Palmer is the sixth book in the fantastic 21st century reboot of the stories of the classic children’s football star, Roy Race. Rocky Race is a strong girl who dominates the football pitch. In this book, she gets to be the star and prove she is so much… Continue reading Roy of the Rovers: Rocky by Tom Palmer & illustrated by Dan Cornwell

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Macbeth United by Michael Rosen & illustrated by Tony Ross

Now does he feel his title Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe Upon a dwarfish thief. - William Shakespeare, Macbeth, 5.2 - Macbeth United is not a typical football story. It’s the clever retelling of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Macbeth, through the action-packed drama of a youth football team, Michael Rosen creates parallels to… Continue reading Macbeth United by Michael Rosen & illustrated by Tony Ross