Thinasonke enjoys school life and the time she spends with her friends, but there are storm clouds on the horizon...Her brother Mangaliso hasn't spoken since being detained in the 1980s and her best friend Thabang's mother is ill with a mysterious disease. Over the next few months Thina's life and the lives of those around her are changed forever by the AIDS epidemic. This exciting and moving story speaks to us all by dealing sensitively with issues such as sexual abuse and the secrecy surrounding AIDS.

Translated by Karin Chubb * Karin Chubb was Shortlisted for the Marsh Award for Children's Literature in Translation, a unique award celebrating the high quality and diversity of translated fiction for young readers, in 2013. * Made into an award-winning film. A hard-hitting, and emotional story of AIDs in South Africa, following Themba and his dreams of becoming a famous footballer. Themba grows up dreaming of becoming a football star. One day he leaves the village and travels with his sister to the city in search of their mother. Life is a struggle and Themba has to grow up fast. A lucky break gives him the chance to train as a footballer and play professionally - but Themba has a secret - should he tell the truth and risk everything he's ever dreamed of?