Fifteen-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. Between the Lines II is a series of eight brand new titles that will capture the interest and imaginations of teenage readers. These texts have a range of settings - from sports clubs and schools to unfamiliar and chilling visions of the future - and they have been written by experienced authors who are experts in developing stories for struggling readers. Mature themes are covered and include the dangers of internet chat rooms, crime, grief, female empowerment, friendship, bullying and dystopian futures. With eye-catching covers and the look and feel of a real novel, these books perfectly combine visual appeal with carefully chosen content that is both compelling and relevant for teenagers and young adults.

The story of a boy's journey to becoming a professional footballer. Will the advice of 5 of Manchester United's greats help him achieve his dream? A must for football fans everywhere. Jimmy has always dreamed of becoming a pro footballer and gets one step closer when he's invited to go for a trial for the Man U Academy! But he still has lots to learn. Follow Jimmy's progress with the help of 5 of Man U's heroes, all legends of the number 7 shirt. Fabulous football story featuring facts about Best, Beckham, Cantona, Robson and Ronaldo.

New York Times bestselling author and former NFL defensive end Tim Green encourages readers to fight for their dreams in this heartfelt story about a young football star grappling with the stress of living up to his father's name. Perfect for fans of Mike Lupica! Danny Owens is dedicating his seventh-grade season to his Super Bowl champion father, who recently passed away. Danny promises everyone that, just like his dad, he'll dominate the big game at the end of the season and earn a spot on the high school varsity team. Then his English teacher catches him cheating on a test. Even though Danny can retake it, he knows there's no point. He can't read. And if Danny can't pass this class, he won't be eligible to play in the championship game that could unlock his future. While his resentment rises against the only person willing to help him win off the field, the pressure to succeed begins to weigh heavily on Danny's shoulders. Danny is being tested on every level now, and to pass, he may very well have to choose a different path from his father's.

From the author of Ultimate Football Heroes comes the first book in the new Johnny Ball series, perfect reading for football-mad kids Johnny Ball LOVES football. He loves reading about it, talking about it, watching it - and he loves playing it too. He's a good player, but not quite good enough to make the Tissbury Primary School team for the super-huge Under-11s County Cup. But never mind, because their clueless coach, Mr Mann, has a special role for Johnny: ASSISTANT MANAGER! With only Grandpa George's old scarf, a 'pocket' notebook and his brilliant football brain, can Johnny lead the Tissbury Primary team all the way to County Cup glory?

Addison 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.

Paddington's first trip to the beach is a day to remember as he explores the sandy shore and is swept off on a grand adventure!Michael Bond's classic character will charm beginning readers with his curious nature and heartwarming intentions.Paddington Sets Sail is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.

How a little kid from Dublin became a world champion boxer. Bernard Dunne tells his own story in his own words: for children! Growing up in Neilstown, west Dublin, Bernard Dunne was always going to be a boxer. His Dad Brendan was an Olympic boxer in his day, and coached in the CIE club in Inchicore, and his two big brothers were skilled boxers too. As Bernard grew up boxing taught him to believe in himself and helped him to focus on goals both within the sport and in other parts of his life. Bernard won his first boxing bout, at the age of six and against a ten-year-old, and went on to win thirteen Irish championship titles. In this inspirational book, Bernard describes life as a boy in Neilstown, the ups and downs of his life and career, and the powerful life lessons and skills that sport can teach a child.

Frankie and his team love playing football. There's always time for a game - especially in space! When Frankie and his friends climb into a broken Galaxy Quest ride, the shuttle sends them flying beyond the stars! Can Frankie and his team win a game against aliens, and save their new friends from a meteor? Frankie needs to win like never before!

Sydney Taylor Award-winning novel Berlin Boxing Club is loosely inspired by the true story of boxer Max Schmeling's experiences following Kristallnacht. Publishers Weekly called it "a masterful historical novel" in a starred review.Karl Stern has never thought of himself as a Jew; after all, he's never even been in a synagogue. But the bullies at his school in Nazi-era Berlin don't care that Karl's family doesn't practice religion. Demoralized by their attacks against a heritage he doesn't accept as his own, Karl longs to prove his worth.Then Max Schmeling, champion boxer and German hero, makes a deal with Karl's father to give Karl boxing lessons. A skilled cartoonist, Karl has never had an interest in boxing, but now it seems like the perfect chance to reinvent himself. But when Nazi violence against Jews escalates, Karl must take on a new role: family protector. And as Max's fame forces him to associate with Nazi elites, Karl begins to wonder where his hero's sympathies truly lie. Can Karl balance his boxing dreams with his obligation to keep his family out of harm's way?Includes an author's note and sources page detailing the factual inspirations behind the novel.

For Sam, playing football is easy. He's the star goalkeeper and a key member of the team. But writing and schoolwork is another matter. When Sam is chosen to read his match report in front of the whole school, the prospect fills him with dread. How can he keep up his image and avoid feeling humilliated?

Join Girls FC as they show the world what it really means to play "like a girl"! "Hi! We're twins Dylan and Daisy McNeil. We're meant to write the match-reports for our football team, but we keep getting muddled - our granny says we're something called 'dyslexic'..." Daisy and Dylan love playing football, but their captain Megan isn't very happy when they make a mess of the match-reports. The twins can't seem to arrive on time for their matches, either - though living in a chaotic household, which includes ballet-mad twin brothers and countless pets, certainly doesn't help. Luckily, their Scottish granny knows just how they can turn things around! This is the fourth in a twelve-book series about women's football, with each charmingly-written book focusing on a different member of the football team and a different issue - all building up to the final book, which explores the future of the team as the original Girls FC moves on to secondary school. "This book ... will encourage girls to get involved in sport from an early age." -Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson on Girls FC 1

Twelve-year-old Jolene spends every day she can at the library watching her favorite livestream: The Desert Aviator, where twelve-year-old "Addie Earhart" shares her adventures flying an ultralight plane over the desert. While watching this daring girl fly through the sky, Jolene can dream of what it would be like to fly with her, far away from her own troubled home life where her mother struggles with a narcotic addiction. And Addie, who is grieving the loss of her father, finds solace in her online conversations with Jolene, her biggest-and only-fan. Then, one day, it all goes wrong: Addie's engine abruptly stops, and Jolene watches in helpless horror as the ultralight plummets to the ground and the video goes dark. Jolene knows that Addie won't survive long in the extreme summer desert heat. With no one to turn to for help and armed with only a hand-drawn map and a stolen cell phone, it's up to Jolene to find a way to save the Desert Aviator. Packed with adventure and heart, Across the Desert speaks to the resilience, hope, and strength within each of us.

Join the Girls FC as they show the world what it really means to play "like a girl"!

“My name is Megan Fawcett and this is the story of how I set up the best football team in the world. Get ready for kick-off!” Nine-year-old Megan Fawcett loves football and is desperate to be on her school team. She tries everything to get the coach to notice her (even wearing a tiara!), but nothing seems to do the trick. Then Megan has her big brainwave: she could start her own team. An all-girls team! Now she just needs a pitch, a coach – oh, and ten other players… This is the first in a series of fun, topical early readers; join the Girls FC as they take the world by storm!

"This book makes football a fun activity that isn’t just for boys and I hope reading the series will encourage more girls to get involved in sport from an early age." – Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson

Family and food take center stage in this heartfelt middle grade story perfect for fans of John David Anderson and Antony John. For as long as he can remember, Curtis Pith has been obsessed with becoming a chef like Lucas Taylor, host of Super Chef. And Curtis has a secret: Taylor is actually his long-absent father. So when Taylor announces a kids-only season of Super Chef, Curtis finally sees his chance to meet his dad. But after Curtis wins a spot in the competition and arrives in New York to film the show, nothing goes as smoothly as he expected. It's all riding on the last challenge. If Curtis cooks his heart out like he knows he can, he just might go home with the top prize-and the truth.

Granaatstraat is 'n straat nes enige ander straat. Wel, nie heeltemal nie ... Dis immers die straat waarin Zackie Mostert bly! En waar Zackie is, gebeur altyd iets opwindends ...

Zackie Mostert slaan 'n ses. Die krieketseisoen is hier! Zackie en Vincent sien baie uit na die krieketkliniek. Hulle gaan 'n hele week lank leer om soos kampioene te kolf, briljant te boul en fantasties veldwerk te doen! Maar Anton is vasbeslote om vanjaar die beste speler in die krieketspan te word. Anton is nie verniet die grootste boelie in Granaatstraat nie. Toe hy 'n nare poets op Zackie bak, loop dinge lelik skeef. En dit lyk sowaar of Vincent se vreemde, krieketmal oupa dalk hulle enigste hoop is om uit die penarie te kom ...

'n Humoristiese, toeganklike reeks boeke geskik vir beginner- en intermediêre lesers. Trefwoorde: humor, vriendskap, skool, boelies, avontuur, gesinne.

Fig's life at school is perfectly normal: he's sure his science teacher hates him, his dad is forcing him to attend barmitzvah classes because his mum who have wanted it, and he's just been passed over for the football team in favour of Gus Starks, a ball hog and a bully. And, as if Fig's life needed one more complication, his grandmother Gigi is unexpectedly coming to stay with him and his dad for a while. As Gig helps Fig navigate the obstacles of school and a tough football season, Fig comes to understand some important things: about his religion, about his family, and about Fig himself. Echo Still is a sports story about refusing to give up on one's dreams regardless of the obstacles. It's a school story, about an ordinary 12-year-old boy dealing with the everyday challenges of growing up. But most compellingly, Echo Still offers a moving depiction of the healing power of a grandmother's love. Infused with Jewish values and affection for Jewish rituals and holidays, this novel will certainly appeal to Jewish communities everywhere, but the deep humanity of Echo Still will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.