Are your students into football? Encourage them to read into it this summer with our list of recommended footy fiction.
The World Cup has officially kicked off, and we know that there'll be thousands of young people celebrating (or commiserating) as we watch the tournament play out this summer. Help them bring their passion for the game to reading with these action-packed, football-filled reading for pleasure short novels written by bestselling authors.
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Bobby Bains Ain't Playing by Bali Rai
Football-mad Bobby and his friend Maisie are excited to hear about a new five-a-side tournament – especially as it’s happening on Diwali, or Bandi Chhor Divas as Sikhs call it!
After getting their teams together, however, Maisie is told she’s not allowed to take part. Hers is the only girls’ side to have entered and they’re not allowed to play against the boys. How unfair is that?
Bobby can’t believe it, and he comes up with a plan to make a stand. But will he be able to convince anyone to join him?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
Explore the book's characters, take part in fun creative exercises and delve into the key themes with brand-new teacher notes from The Reader Teacher Scott Evans.
Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder by Bali Rai
Bobby Bains loves football. He also loves helping other people. As a Sikh, it’s part of his religion. While helping his mum at the community food bank, Bobby meets an old man called Trevor, who seems lonely.
Bobby thinks Trevor would get on well with his nana-ji, his grandad. Both love football and reggae music. But Nana-ji and Trevor have dodgy old knees and can’t run like they used to. So, Bobby hatches a plan to get them playing. They could use the exercise and perhaps Trevor won’t feel so lonely any more.
Will Bobby’s plan work? It’s a big ask, but, after all, if you don’t shoot, you don’t score!
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
Keeping Possession by Eve Ainsworth
Eboni’s decision to join the Lightmoor Lionesses has led to a falling-out with her closest friends on her old team. They feel betrayed and Eboni is frozen out at school.
Feeling isolated, she’s delighted when she forms a new friendship with popular Olivia, quickly realising they have loads in common. But there’s one problem. Olivia isn’t interested in football and can’t understand Eboni’s dedication to the sport that she loves.
Will Eboni stay true to herself or will she sacrifice her footballing dreams for friendship?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
Explore the full Lightmoor Lionesses series on our website.
The Fear by Tom Palmer
Kian’s best mate Azeem is desperate for them both to join the local football team. He can’t understand why Kian’s reluctant as he’s one of the best players on their estate.
But a bad experience with a former coach has robbed Kian of all his confidence. He wants to support his friend, but he doesn’t think he can face the pressure of being part of a team again.
Can Kian overcome the Fear?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 7.
Watch author Tom Palmer introduce the novel on YouTube.
The Unlucky Eleven by Phil Earle
Ridiculous injuries … strange illnesses … cancelled games … Everything's going wrong for the Saints this season, and Stanley's team-mates believe they finally know why. Their football kit is cursed! But the team's attempts to break the curse take things from bad to worse. Soon, they're ready to call it quits. Stanley's still got some tricks up his sleeve … but will his curse-cracking ideas save the team in time for the last game of the season?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 5+.
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Go! Go! Chichico! by Geraldine McCaughrean
Chichico is thrilled when a talent scout spots him during a kick-about with his friends Davi and Ana, and he is asked to try out for Santos Brazil. But without a pair of football boots, how will Chichico ever been taken seriously? Loyal Davi steps in and sets out on a mission to solve Chichico's problem. But Davi's actions soon risk ruining Chichico's dreams forever…
Particularly suitable for readers aged 7+.
Football Mad 1: Own Goal by Paul Stewart
2-1 with minutes to go: Dale Juniors are about to win the schools' cup final – until Scott foots the ball into his own team's goal. But letting down the team is the least of Scott's problems. After the match, someone leaves him a nasty message on the wall – and the suspect? His best mate Danny. It's all going downhill from here …
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
Home Ground by Alan Gibbons
Sam's football team are struggling this season. They keep losing matches and captain Jordan's bad attitude isn't helping anyone.
When Sam spots Hasan playing for the refugee team on the next pitch, he can see that Hasan's got talent and invites him along to practise. Hasan and his friend Faisal are skilled players – exactly what the team needs – but Jordan's not ready to accept them so easily.
With the last game of the season fast approaching, can Sam help the boys pull together in time?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
The Dog That Saved the World (Cup) by Phil Earle
Pickles the dog and his owner Elsie love football more than anything. And they’ve just heard the most amazing news. The World Cup is coming home to England and Elsie’s team have a chance to play in a half-time match at Wembley – with some help from Pickles, of course!
But life off the pitch is tough, even when Dad works hard to provide what they need. It’s their team of three against the world and right now it feels like they’re losing. So when disaster strikes and Elsie’s dreams of playing at Wembley are shattered, it’s up to Pickles to save the world (cup) …
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
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When Saturday Comes by Tony Bradman
Daniel had a hard time when his parents split up and his dad started working abroad. He had to move and start at a new school, but things changed for the better when he started playing football for the Haybrook Rockets. This season the team are in with a chance of winning the Championship, but just as things are looking up for Daniel his dad comes back and the only time he can meet up is a Saturday morning – when Daniel plays football. He doesn’t want to let his dad or his team down, so what is Daniel going to do?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
Dream On by Bali Rai
While Baljit shovels chips in his dad's chippy, he dreams of football stardom. Then the chance of a lifetime comes along – a trial for the Premier League. But Baljit is sure his parents will disapprove, and so the lies begin. Will Baljit's parents cost him his dream, or will his own lies trip him up?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 8.
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Looking for more inspiration?
Visit Book Squad to find more reading recommendations, or visit the Go All In website for more sporty reads for all ages plus other reading recommendations, insights and free resources.
