Keeping Possession
Paperback
Talented defender Eboni navigates balancing new friendships with her passion for football in this sensitively told tale from acclaimed author 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.
RRP: £7.99
Imprint
Barrington Stoke
ISBN
978-0-00-874471-7
Interest age
9+
Reading age
8
Publication Date
12-03-2026
Format
Paperback
Pages
104 pages
Dimensions
129x198mm
Product Description
Talented defender Eboni navigates balancing new friendships with her passion for football in this sensitively told tale from acclaimed author 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.
Author
Eve Ainsworth, Illustrated by Luna Valentine
Eve Ainsworth is a working-class, award-winning and Carnegie Medal nominated children’s author who has written for both middle-grade and teen readers. Eve also has a background working for primary and secondary schools in pastoral and child-protection roles.
Imprint
Barrington Stoke
ISBN
978-0-00-874471-7
Reading age
8
Interest age
9+
Publication Date
12-03-2026
Format
Paperback
Pages
104 pages
Dimensions
129x198mm
Product Description
Talented defender Eboni navigates balancing new friendships with her passion for football in this sensitively told tale from acclaimed author 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.
Author
Eve Ainsworth, Illustrated by Luna Valentine
Eve Ainsworth is a working-class, award-winning and Carnegie Medal nominated children’s author who has written for both middle-grade and teen readers. Eve also has a background working for primary and secondary schools in pastoral and child-protection roles.