New boy Smithy can't understand why everyone is so excited about a player on the football team called "Bengo." He's been absent for the first few games of the season and starts the next game on the bench, so surely he can't be that special? But when their coach pulls Smithy off and sends Bengo on in his place, Smithy gets a chance to see him in action. Bengo is easily the best player Smithy's ever seen, putting in perfect crosses and generally running the opposition ragged. So why is Bengo left on the bench so often, and why does he seem to bottle it when any strong tackles come his way? An engaging football story accompanied by fascinating facts about famous substitutes, from reluctant-reader favourite Alan Gibbons.

A ride in the countryside spirals out of control for Meg and Merlin in this dramatic new addition to Tanya Landman's lovable horse-riding series. Meg and her new friend Sam Houseman meet up to take their horses out on a hack, but after a lovely day in the countryside, Meg gets lost while making her way home. Then things take a dangerous turn when Merlin gets spooked and takes off, galloping straight towards a main road ... Can Meg get him back under control before disaster strikes?

A sweet and funny LGBTQ+ romance perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Julie Murphy, from the critically acclaimed author of Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit! Piper Kitts is spending the summer living with her grandmother, training at the barn of a former Olympic horseback rider, and trying to get over her ex-girlfriend. Much to Piper's dismay, her grandmother is making her face her fear of driving by taking lessons from a girl in town. Kat Pearson has always suspected that she likes girls but fears her North Carolina town is too small to color outside the lines. But when Piper's grandmother hires Kat to give her driving lessons, everything changes. Piper's not sure if she's ready to let go of her ex. Kat's navigating uncharted territory with her new crush. With the summer running out, will they be able to unlock a future together? "Piper and Kat are imperfect, but always trying their best-aren't we all?-and Brown had me rooting for them all the way through this sweet, slow burn romance. Their triumphs, their blunders, and the way they swing between confidence and self-doubt are utterly relatable."-Misa Sigura, award-winning author of It's Not Like It's a Secret

A stand-out novel inspired by the incredible true stories of female football legends like Lily Parr and Alice Woods. They can take our ball, but they can never stop the game. Polly Nabb is no stranger to trouble. When her brother Joe is sent to serve in the trenches, all Polly wants is to kick a ball about and forget the war. Mam has other ideas, and makes her stay home to help with endless chores. But football is something Polly is prepared to fight for - it's her life! She's determined to do whatever it takes to fulfil her dream and show the world that football is not just for boys . . . The war years: a time of trailblazing female footballers, like the legendary Lily Parr, who played to sell-out crowds. Polly's dramatic wartime story celebrates those bold young players who changed attitudes to women on the pitch and salutes the unsung heroes on the Home Front too. 'Absolutely magnificent! A glorious tale of football, friendship, feminism and social history.' Emma Carroll 'A very entertaining and enjoyable read.' LoveReading4Schools 'A powerful story.' Sophie McKenzie 'A gripping read.' School Reading List

Think that heading out into the Colorado forest in 60 degree weather in May is totally safe? Think again. As Nico and his baby sitter Hannah quickly learn, Mother Nature can turn on a dime, and when she does, she dumps so much snow on them that they can't find their way out of what should have been a simple overnight backpacking trip.

Trek along with these two as an unexpected snowstorm teaches them just how much wilderness savvy they have. It's not enough. They need more. See how their rescuer uses 21st century technology along with timeless backcountry smarts to try to find his friends. And, experience how Nico, our 12 year old hero, comes to understand that sometimes misbehaving isn't as bad as some adults make it out to be.

"Stranded in a Snowstorm" features backcountry powder skiing and snowboarding, backpacking, fire-lighting, survival, rock and roll, and emergency whistles. Our heroes have to hike high, hunker low, ski and ride fast, and huddle together just to survive. Will they make it out alive? Will their twists and turns be enough to keep them from the dangers that beautiful Mother Nature brings? Will you feel like strapping a board to your feet and poking some freshies while you read this epic adventure?

Inspired by the love of nature, Davis and Pop Go Hiking is a book that explores God's beautiful world and some of the creatures He has created. Davis is a young boy that loves his grandfather, Pop. Pop takes Davis on a hiking adventure that allows Davis to explore and just be a boy. Pop and Davis have a wonderful day together that Davis will never forget.

Ballin' for Natalie is a thought-provoking story filled with real-life issues that teenagers deal with every day. With more than potential to be heavily recruited by the top high schools and colleges to play basketball, gutsy Natalie has her eyes on the prize and is determined to one day go pro. Basketball provides a way out of her present situation of living in the Marcy Projects with her grandmother. But like most of us she harbors a family secret that mocks all that she aspires to become. And when that secret comes knocking, Natalie has to decide if the life she saves will be her own.

The next book in the #1 New York Times best-selling Epoca series from Kobe Bryant and Ivy Claire. As Pretia, the Princess of Epoca, prepares to return to Ecrof, the elite magical sports academy, she is focused on the most important part of her upcoming year: the Junior Epic Games. She knows that her destiny is to rule Epoca, but right now, all she wants is to be selected for the Junior Epic team so that she can compete against the best young athletes in Epoca and bring honor to her people. But as rumors begin to swirl about unrest surrounding the Games, Pretia realizes that winning might not be as simple as being the best athlete she can be. She might have to decide which is more important: being an athlete or being a leader. Pretia's best friend, Rovi, is ecstatic when he hears that the Junior Epic Games will be held in Phoenis, where he lived before attending Ecrof. True, his time in Phoenis wasn't ideal-he'd lived on the streets as a Star Stealer, part of a gang of kids who stole what they needed to survive-but he'd found a home there. He's excited to return as a Dreamer, an athlete at the top of his game. But all is not well with the Star Stealers. Rovi's old friends are being blamed for the unrest surrounding the Games, even though he's sure they have nothing to do with it. Now that he's back in Phoenis, Rovi is faced with a difficult question: Is he a Dreamer or a Star Stealer? Can he be both? As tensions mount, Pretia and Rovi, along with their friend Vera, find themselves in a race to save the Star Stealers. And they begin to understand that if anyone is going to make a new future for Epoca, it just might be them.

Budi's plan is simple. He's going to be a star. Budi's going to play for the greatest team on earth, instead of sweating over each stitch he sews, each football boot he makes. But one unlucky kick brings Budi's world crashing down. Now he owes the Dragon, the most dangerous man in Jakarta. Soon it isn't only Budi's dreams at stake, but his life. A story about dreaming big, about hope and heroes, and never letting anything stand in your way.

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) ...

In a rhythmic celebration of sport and play, four-time Grand Slam champion and tennis superstar Naomi Osaka shares key steps to becoming a true champ, including being kind, working as a team, doing your best, and most importantly, having fun. At Play Academy, We love to move. That’s why we play. We are champs and we play all day! Inspired by Osaka’s game-changing program Play Academy, which instills confidence in and provides resources to young girls through sports, The Way Champs Play is an exciting and inspiring anthem for all kids in and out of the classroom who want to PLAY ALL DAY! Use this book to: Discuss different types of sports. Talk with children about good sports(wo)manship. Encourage kids to engage in sport and play for their overall health and happiness. And more!

Marcus and the Breakfast Club Investigators are back in The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Ghoul in the School! From #1 bestselling author Marcus Rashford comes another exciting adventure full of fantastic friendships, high-stakes mysteries and strange goings-on! Written with Alex Falase-Koya and packed with tons of illustrations by Marta Kissi, it's the perfect book for children aged 8-11. There’s something strange going on at school . . . The Breakfast Club Investigators haven't managed to solve a mystery in months and Marcus is worried that the group is going to break up! So when Gbenga, the captain of the school basketball team, comes to ask for their help Marcus knows this might just be the Investigator's last chance to prove themselves. The basketball team have had a streak of bad luck, and Marcus and his mates are sure there's more going on than meets the eye. As the mystery deepens and they uncover one surprising clue after another, they discover that someone – or something – has cursed the basketball team! Can Marcus and his friends solve the mystery in time?

"Refreshingly voice-y, wildly smart, and genuinely hilarious." - Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue Emilia Romero is living a double life. By day, she's a field hockey star with a flawless report card. But by night, she's kicking virtual ass as the only female member of a highly competitive eSports team. Emilia has mastered the art of keeping her two worlds thriving, which hinges on them staying completely separate. That's in part to keep her real-life persona, but also for her own safety, since girl gamers are often threatened and harassed. When a major eSports tournament comes to her city, Emilia is determined to prove herself to her team and the male-dominated gaming community. But her perfectly balanced life is thrown for a loop when a member of a rival team recognizes her . . . Jake Hooper has had a crush on Emilia since he was ten years old. When his underdog eSports team makes it into the tournament, he's floored to discover she's been leading a double life. The fates bring Jake and Emilia together as they work to keep her secret, even as the pressures of the tournament and their non-gaming world threaten to pull everything apart. Debut author Alexis Nedd has crafted a YA combo-punch of charming romance and virtual adventure that will win the hearts of gamers and non-gamers alike.