Children’s / Teenage fiction: Sporting stories

Book SynopsisAfter Ivette is gifted an old game console, she becomes interested in speedrunning an old game called The Shattered Blade. So interested, in fact, that she enters an amateur speedrunning contest. As Ivette travels to the competition, news breaks that online gamer Quick Silver has broken the speedrun record once again. Can Ivette discover the glitches and techniques to put her in competition with the best?

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Book SynopsisAiden wants to win! So when new player Chloe joins the team, he's frustrated that she isn't perfect at every pass, shot and skill. Will Aiden's fixation on winning lead to full-court drama, or can he remember what it means to be a supportive teammate? Told through accessible text and easy-to-follow panelling, young basketball fans will cheer for this Slam Dunk Graphics tale.

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Book SynopsisThe Ballers have had fun in practice. But during their first game, something strange happens. Kevin won't pass the ball. He's turned into a ball hog! With help from his teammates, can Kevin learn how to share the ball? Told through accessible text and easy-to-follow panelling, young basketball fans will cheer for this Slam Dunk Graphics tale.

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Book SynopsisWhen Candace joins her new team, she finds everyone has mastered a move that she's never tried - the layup! Her first attempt is a disaster, and now she's embarrassed. Will Candace be stuck making lousy layups, or will she learn it's okay to ask for help? Told through accessible text and easy-to-follow panelling, young basketball fans will cheer for this Slam Dunk Graphics tale.

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Book SynopsisWhile staying with relatives in Rajasthan, India, Reeya Rai and her friends are playing a game of cricket when they stumble upon an ancient, water-filled stepwell. Reeya and her friends decide to create a submersible with a camera to explore the stepwell and uncover its secrets. In the watery depths, they discover an ancient door with a mysterious symbol on it. Could this be the key to discovering one of India's ancient lost treasures? And will they uncover the truth before Dr Acker and his daughter, Elsie, learn about what they've found?

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Book SynopsisWhile exploring ancient catacombs in Egypt, Reeya Rai and her family discover a chamber hidden behind a large wall of rubble. Inside are several mysterious ancient statues. However, there isn't time to explore the chamber. A large storm is coming that threatens to flood the entire region. Thinking quickly, Reeya and her friends invent a way to transport sandbags and build a wall to protect the catacombs from flooding. When they return, what ancient mysteries will they find hidden in the chamber? And how will they keep Dr Acker and his daughter, Elsie, from discovering the chamber's secrets first?

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Book SynopsisWhile helping her parents organize items at a museum in Greece, Reeya Rai finds some paintings made by a medieval artist and inventor from India. When Reeya learns that artists sometimes hide secret messages in their paintings, Reeya creates a special colour-wheel to study the artist's paintings. In them, she finds clues to the location of the inventor's secret workshop! Unfortunately, to access it, Reeya needs a small artefact currently held by her nemesis, Elsie Acker. Will Reeya find a way to get the artefact from Elsie without alerting Dr Acker to the workshop's location?

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Book SynopsisMarnie has an emerging talent for dog training, and she puts it to good use with her dog, Koda. Koda is a mongrel, so she isn't able to enter dog shows. So Marnie decides to enter a dog dancing competition with Koda instead. But soon Marnie realizes she is more confident in Koda's skills than her own. Will Marnie be able to overcome her insecurities and let loose during the dog dancing competition?Combining exciting sports stories with a dynamic graphic novel format, these fast-paced tales of sportsmanship and teamwork come to life in full-colour graphic novels. Supportive back matter, including comprehension questions, writing prompts and non-fiction sports info, helps young readers and sports enthusiasts step up their game.

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Book SynopsisZack Jones is a whiz when it comes to playing defence in the outfield. But when it comes to hitting a baseball, his batting skills come up short. Luckily, his friend Jamie has an incredible virtual reality system that helps him train to improve his batting game. But when the VR system goes up in smoke, Zack loses his confidence and isn't sure he can perform at the plate when his team needs him. Will Zack find faith in himself and keep his bat powered up when the game is on the line?Combining exciting sports stories with a dynamic graphic novel format, these fast-paced tales of sportsmanship and teamwork come to life in full-colour graphic novels. Supportive back matter, including comprehension questions, writing prompts and non-fiction sports info, helps young readers and sports enthusiasts step up their game.

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Book SynopsisWhat do you call a dancing sheep? A baaa-llerina! What do you call a duck gymnast? A quack-robat! If you love dance, gymnastics or cheerleading - and a good laugh - then this is the book for you! Hundreds of hilarious dance jokes, funny gymnastics riddles and goofy cheerleading puns are sure to keep readers and their friends laughing from beginning to end.

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Book SynopsisFour friends investigate whether their favourite singer is a fraud in this installment of the Cyber Sleuths chapter book series. Ameer, Rika, Tim and Cara have a lot in common, including a devotion to their favourite singer, Self-Akeem. But when the pop star is accused of lip-syncing, the four friends are split by the scandal. Is Self-Akeem truly a talent, or is the popular singer just a scam artist? The friends turn to a network of mystery-solving kids - the Cyber Sleuths - for help solving this online mystery. Created in partnership with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), this action-packed chapter book is perfect for young readers and demonstrates valuable media literacy skills.

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Book SynopsisPut on your cleats, grab your jersey, and join the Good Sports League! This funny chapter book series about sports and sportsmanship is from acclaimed author Tommy Greenwald. Ben Cutler loves everything about soccer! He’s got a great team, and they have the best pregame chants and half-time jokes. He and his best friend, Jay-Jay, even invent dances for when they score a goal! And Ben is good at soccer. Like REALLY good. Too good for a casual rec team. Soon he’s recruited for a travel team.   His new team plays amazingly well, but they take soccer super seriously. No pregame chants, no juice-box breaks, and the most important rule of all: NO DANCING. Even though his new team is winning all the time, Ben is left to wonder, Is winning all that matters in the end?   Comic panels and spot illustrations bring the sports action to life in a format perfect for reluctant readers.Trade ReviewFreddy states the moral up front—sports should be enjoyable—and this fast-paced, heartfelt story bears out the message. Good-hearted sporty fun. * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisAddison is joining the track and field team, even though her mum said no. Addison has come up with a risky plan to compete. But soon she''s torn between her love of sprinting relay races with the team and the guilt over lying to her mum. How can Addison pursue her running passion? With plenty of action and extra materials including discussion questions and bonus track facts, this Teen Sport Story is sure to be a hit with any young athlete.

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Book SynopsisPerseverance, thought Connor. To not give up even when it is hard to keep going.Connor loves practicing taekwondo at his dojang. Having ADHD means he has to work a little harder to keep his focus during sparring sessions, but that doesn''t stop him from mastering new forms and rising through the taekwondo ranks. However, when Wyatt--Connor''s nemesis--starts training at the same dojang, staying focused suddenly becomes a lot harder. Can Connor persevere and find his focus in time for the big tournament?Written by a neurodivergent author with three neurodivergent children, Connor and the Taekwondo Tournament meets a longstanding need for chapter books written from the perspectives of kids with ADHD and is the perfect addition to any young reader''s shelf.The Infinity Rainbow Club is a chapter book series featuring five neurodivergent children in a club at their elementary school. The club provides a safe space for stims and different communication styles to be accepted and celebrated.

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Book Synopsis"An absolutely fantastic book – just the thing to inspire future Lionesses!" – Beth Mead, LionessShoot for the stars with Sammy Striker! From Oscars Prize-shortlisted Catherine Emmett and bestselling illustrator Joe Berger, Sammy Striker and the Football Cup is an empowering story for young footie fans, about friendship, football, and having the courage to believe in yourself.Sammy Striker is NEVER found without a football at her feet, and one day at the park, she's spotted by Melissa McDream who coaches the Under 8s National Team! Sammy is a dribbler-extraordinaire, headed straight for the top. But, as the Football Cup gets closer, Sammy's shots on goal go a bit . . . wonky.Will Sammy work out that it's what makes her DIFFERENT that will help them win the final?

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A fantastic series for 5+ readers combining magic and football, by superstar footballer Frank Lampard.Frankie and his team love playing football. There's always time for a game.Frankie and his friends are at their school sports day when the magic football sends them back through time, to the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece! The team join in, but the mischievous god Hermes is causing chaos...and when they accidentally bring Hermes back with them, their own sports day might be ruined too.How will Frankie stop Hermes before the Games are ruined for ever?Perfect for sports fans everywhere in the run-up to the Olympic Games!

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Book SynopsisFrankie and his team love playing football. There's always time for a game - even at Christmas!Frankie and his friends are spending Christmas in Austria with his pen pal Heidi. He is excited to learn how to ski, even if it's not quite the same as playing football. Late on Christmas Eve they discover a lost elf who needs help. Frankie's team will need to use all their skills to get the elf back to his world, and return in time for Christmas!Trade ReviewAnother light-hearted and enjoyable tale * Parents In Touch *

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Book SynopsisCarmen is a 12-year-old star striker for the Blue Dragons A Team, but when her best friend Destiny abandons the team to try theater, the Dragons need a new goalkeeper, stat. Carmen quickly learns her new position as keeper, but she struggles to deal with the changes in her friendship with Destiny. Plus, there's one shot she just can't seem to stop. Now, the league championship has gone to a shootout, and of course the other team's best striker has the last kick. Can Carmen save both her team's championship dreams and her most important friendship?In the Clutch hooks readers with a do-or-die moment from youth sports, then rewinds to show how the books' young athletes found themselves needing to perform under pressure.

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Book SynopsisAaron is a 12-year-old baseball phenom, but only when he's playing in the field. At the plate, he struggles. Now, it's the last inning of the last game of the season, and Aaron's in the batter's box, down by one with the bases loaded. Just as he steps up to the plate, Aaron spots his superstar-athlete older brother, Will, who completely abandoned him at the worst possible time. Can Aaron come through in the clutch when his team needs him most, and will his brother come through for him and their family?In the Clutch hooks readers with a do-or-die moment from youth sports, then rewinds to show how the books' young athletes found themselves needing to perform under pressure.

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Book SynopsisTravel to all seven continents and the oceans, too, with an energetic yoga sequence set to an irresistible original song. Sweet illustrations guide children into more than a dozen yoga poses, some mimicking a distinctive animal from each global region, others paired with modes of transportation to connect them all. Written by a children’s yoga expert, the playful story concludes with step-by-step instructions for each yoga pose and a world map with a fun fact about each animal. Includes enhanced CD and digital access to audio and animationTrade Review“Playful short prose and active verbs keep the pace humming right along in this age-appropriate yoga exploration. Energetic poses are interspersed with more mindful deep stretches. Bright, bold, and colorful illustrations using hand carved stamps and digital techniques center a friendly, diverse group of children, of all body shapes and abilities” – The School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisThe magic and wonder of deep winter snow will delight and entertain everyone in this beautiful and intriguing, mostly wordless, picture book that is soon to become a classic!It snowed all night long. It snowed so much that when two children awake in the morning and want to go outside to play, a shovel isn't even close to being enough. It's SO MUCH SNOW!

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Book SynopsisSydney Taylor Book Award Notable book in the Young Adult categoryFrom the New York Times bestselling authors of I'm Not Dying with You Tonight comes a story about friendship, privilege, sports, and protest.With a rocky start to senior year, cheerleaders and lifelong best friends Eleanor and Chanel have a lot on their minds. Eleanor is still in physical therapy months after a serious concussion from a failed cheer stunt. Chanel starts making questionable decisions to deal with the mounting pressure of college applications. But they have each other's backs-just as always, until Eleanor's new relationship with star quarterback Three starts a rift between them.Then, the cheer squad decides to take a knee at the season's first football game, and what seemed like a positive show of solidarity suddenly shines a national spotlight on the team-and becomes the reason for a larger fallout between the girls. As Eleanor and Chanel grapple with the weight of the consequences as well as their own problems, can the girls rely on the friendship they've always shared?Praise for I'm Not Dying with You Tonight:A Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick"Compelling and powerful"-Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give"A vital addition to the YA race relations canon."-Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin"Important reading for both teenagers and adults."-Hello Giggles"Not to be missed."-Paste Magazine

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Book SynopsisAction-packed novel inspired by 1977 story of a girl who fought the Human Rights Commision for her right to play hockey on an all-boys team.

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Book SynopsisPicture book charmer Salma stars in a new early chapter book series!Book Three: Salma Joins the TeamSalma dreams of becoming a champion swimmer like her hero, Olympian Yusra Mardini. So when she signs up for her school's swim club, it feels like her dreams could come true . . . until mean comments from older girls at the pool and women at her mosque spark body image and self-esteem issues. But with the help of her close friends and familythe team that always has her backSalma is ready to claim her place in the pool.About the Series: Charming, creative Salma takes on big feelings with even bigger ideas as she navigates life in a new country, Syrian identity, family changes, and new friendships in this engaging and heartfelt early chapter book series.Over 17 awards for Salma the Syrian Chef!PRAISE for Book 1, Salma Makes a HomeA forthright, tender perspecti

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Book SynopsisFor Bo and her siblings, the underground fight club may finally provide escape from life with an abusive uncle - but only if she can win.Never again. That's what seventeen-year-old Bo Clark has promised her two younger siblings, ever since they were put in separate foster homes a situation that nearly turned deadly for six-year-old Zach, and that they have vowed never to repeat. Bo will do anything to keep that promise. Even if it means enduring the abuse of Uncle Jack, their new guardian. When Jack discovers that Bo is a talented boxer, he signs her up for an underground fight club tournament, which could bring in enough money for her to move out with her siblings as soon as she turns eighteen.But the ring is a brutal place, and when Bo gets injured, Jack brings a cut man onto the team. Unexpectdly, Liam is a school friend of Bo's, and even as the two of them grow close, she worries that he will go to the authorities if he ever finds out Jack is hurting her.As Bo makes her way closer to the big prize, Jack starts to think about taking her pro, and in an explosive finale, the violence moves outside the ring, putting everything Bo loves at risk.Key Text FeaturesBiographical informationchaptersdialogueepigraph

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Book SynopsisFact and fiction intertwine in this wonderful celebration of African football, with a strong message of ambition, hard work and determination at its heart. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Jimi dreams of playing in the all-white kit of the Lions of Senegal but he can't see how his dream will ever come true. Even though he is the best footballer in the region, the bigger boys never let him play with them. But can he change their minds? With huge support from his family, Jimi finds that there is nothing that he can't achieve!Interwoven with lots of facts about the history of African football and African-born footballing superstars such as Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto, Patrick Viera and Yaya Toure, this book is ideal to engage reluctant reading football fans. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+

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Book Synopsis'Ferguson picks up the ball inside the Scottish half and he's off. He skips round England's Dawes. . . nutmegs Bryan. . . shoots. . . and SCORES! Goal for Scotland in the 89th minute of this World Cup quarter-final! England are on their knees. Ferguson sends the Scottish fans crazy. What a player!'Don't miss a minute of the non-stop action as 10-year-old Calum Ferguson goes from struggling to settle into a new town whilst fighting for his place on the school football team to impressing scouts, proving themselves and contending with arch rivals. Scotland Stars F.C. books are packed with excitement on and off the field, as well as loads of extras like character cards to collect and football tips, puzzles and games.Caleytown's dreams are coming true. They've made it to the National Soccer Sevens Tournament and the only thing standing between them and the cup are all of Scotland's finest football teams. Calum spots the Scotland manager, some scouts, and his hero James Cauldfield in the crowd, and he's getting nervous. Mr McKlop has some fun ways to distract them but Calum's nerves only escalate when, unexpectedly, he is made captain of the team. Can he get them through to the final? Can he overcome his jitters and impress the scouts? Will Caleytown bring home the cup?Trade ReviewPraise for Calum's New Team (Book 1):'Nice writing style and no embarrassing stuff. You only need to like football. And to be able to sympathise with a boy who has to use his dog as goalie [not very good at defending the goal] when he plays all alone.'-- Bookwitch'... the love for the game and for literacy shines through the text. It's easy to read, with a manageable vocabulary and a plot that moves along quickly and realistically. Interspersed with zazzy illustrations from Alice A Morentorn and complete with trading cards inside, this is a young football fan's dream story.'--MinervaReads

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Book SynopsisBook 1 in a magical new series from Paralympian and star of the Great Comic Relief Bake-Off, Ellie Simmonds.Ellie lives with her uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs Scrudge, in the miserable town of Greyton. The Scrudges and their horrible son, Colin, can't stand the sight of Ellie and won't let her into the bakery, even for a moment. But on her birthday Ellie receives a mystery present – a very special cookery book where the recipes magically appear on the page! There are recipes for what to bake for a long train journey, what to eat when you’ve eaten too much - even a cake to help you find a best friend.With the Greyton bake-off just round the corner, suddenly anything feels possible . . .Trade ReviewHarry Potter meets Great British Bake Off * MaisonCupcake.com *Sweet, funny story of wicked relatives, disgusting ingredients, a brave little girl and a very special cookbook -- Imogen Russell Williams * Metro *

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Book SynopsisSometimes I find it really tough to make sure I'm not in a huff because there's simply so much stuff that makes me want to yell. We all get angry once in a while, but it can be hard to know what to do when we feel this way. The determined heroine of I Really want the Cake is back with a new connundrum. What should she do when she REALLY wants to shout.Trade Reviewa really useful addition to the PHSE section of a class or school library -- School Zone * School Zone *

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Book SynopsisBo's kept a tight lid on her emotions ever since her dad died. When she takes up boxing, she discovers it's a good outlet for her feelings. But when someone she trusts takes advantage, Bo finds her emotions getting out of control. Can she tell anyone why she lashes out, or will her temper mean she misses her big fight?

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Book SynopsisFifteen-year-old Cal Deane has a chance to make it as a professional footballer. To get there, he'll have to cope with the loss of his mum and a group of racists. For Cal, the battles off the pitch are far more challenging than any game of football.

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Book SynopsisIt's the first match in major pre-season tournament, the Cathay Cup. Hosts Stanford FC are playing Sevilla. Academy hopeful and striker Callum is on the bench. Will he get the chance to get his First Team career up and running?

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Book SynopsisArthur, Billy and Jess spend all their time at the local skate park. They love trying to perform tricks on their stunt scooters, or in Jess's case, her stunt wheelchair. When Arthur finds some strange golden wheels that help him perform the most difficult of tricks, he thinks he has hit the jackpot.

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Book SynopsisThirteen year old Anna is struggling to cope with the recent loss of her father, when she discovers a forgotten gift from him - a pair of bright orange football socks. With the help of these brightly coloured good-luck charms, Anna slowly begins to gain confidence both on and off the pitch.

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Book Synopsis?Will you please come back and play for the club Aoife??. Aidan asks his twin sister this question every week. Twins, Aoife and Aidan Power, along with their four best friends love playing Gaelic football. They spend most evenings after school playing football in the green in their picturesque rural village of ?Droichead Beag?. Aoife and Aidan are skilful and fast but when they combine on the same team, ?Twin Power? is unleashed and they have an almost telepathic communication on the pitch, leading to some spectacular scores.But while Aoife loves football, an incident at a match almost two years earlier saw her stop training and playing with her local GAA club, Droichead Beag GAA. Aidan knows what happened, but Aoife refuses to tell her friends. Could it have something to do with their Under 12 counterparts in Gorman GAA, the rival parish team of Droichead Beag, where old rivalries run deep?And how will Aoife?s refusal to play affect their school team when the children?s teacher Ms. Kelly, herself a former All- Star football player announces an exciting new school?s football competition, ?Star Schools GAA??Parish rivalries re-surface and threaten to get out of hand as the children of Droichead Beag National School fight tooth and nail to get their hands on the coveted first ever Star Schools Cup.

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Book SynopsisThe Team are competing for the Floodlights Cup! The problem is, Harvey has been spending too much time dreaming up new moves for The Team, and not enough time on his schoolwork. Harvey's teacher is not impressed, and bans Harvey from playing soccer. Can The Team win without him?

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Book SynopsisHarvey and Darren only want to play soccer. But their headmistress, Mrs Pinto, has other ideas. She needs two strong lads for her new project: ballet! And she already has leotards with Harvey and Darren's names on them... This is Harvey's most desperate and tense adventure so far.

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Book SynopsisThe Team are on a high. They have just won the Superstars Record for the most unbeaten matches. It's one of the oldest records in the league. The problem is, the record is jinxed.

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Book SynopsisThe Team have achieved everything Harvey had dreamed they would. They've won a silver trophy, medals, league titles, and they hold the Superstars Record. Harvey, though, has been having a new dream. In it, The Team are playing in the World Cup final... and they're winning! Can Harvey's impossible dream be about to come true?

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Book SynopsisNow a lethal striker for his boyhood club - and an international superstar - Marcus Rashford is living his dream. But from navigating a ruthless academy to playing under one of the fiercest managers in the game, Marcus's meteoric rise to the top of Manchester United wasn't always easy. This is the story of how a boy from Manchester used his passion and his talent to steer himself on a path to greatness. This biography is one of the titles in Ransom's Tales from the Pitch series. These books offers a fresh take on the familiar football biography format Each of these fast-moving reads focuses on one football superstar, some players who are still to reach the summit of their career, and others who are the already at the top of their game. These are exhilarating reads about players from all walks of life. Many have faced failure, injury and rejection, to ultimately make their dreams come true and have inspirational stories. So meet the footballers behind the iconic tackles and goals, and find out what makes each of these players so special.Trade Review"Really well written, with a nice balance of factual writing and engaging story-telling to bring Marcus' early career to life. There is inspiration by the bucketload and a real insight into how a young child with a dream turns their dream into a reality! We will definitely be coming back for more from this series!" - Father Reading Blog

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