In a nutshell: great football story, accessible to all readers
The story told in Kick Off will be familiar to lots of kids from their daydreams. Jackson is a talented footballer and one day after a game in the park, he’s approached by a scout. This leads to a trial at United and the chance to play with their Under 16s. The Cinderella format is irresistible, but there are challenges for Jackson along the way: he has to learn to control his temper for one thing, and to be a team player. Designed to appeal to reluctant or dyslexic readers, the action is non-stop, short sentences ensuring it’s totally accessible, but the story is still thoroughly satisfying and will leave readers wanting to hear more about Jackson. ~Andrea Reece
This exciting coming of age story follows a boy from a tower block as he joins a premier league football academy. Jackson is good at football... really good at football. And when a scout from United spots him in the park, it seems like he might just have the chance to make it out of his high-rise tower block and into the premier league. But the other boys have been playing together since they were young and Jackson isn't sure he'll ever fit in - or be able to manage his fiery temper.
Bloomsbury High Low books encourage and support reading practice by providing gripping, age-appropriate stories for struggling and reluctant readers, those with dyslexia, or those with English as an additional language. Printed on tinted paper and with a dyslexia friendly font and illustrations, The Football Trials is aimed at readers aged 12+ and has a manageable length (80 pages) and reading age (9+). Produced in association with reading experts at Catch Up, a charity which aims to address underachievement caused by literacy and numeracy difficulties.
This series will interest older readers towards the end of primary school or beginning of secondary school and any football fan. The Reader Teacher, @MrEPrimary
Author
About John Hickman
John Hickman grew up on a council estate in Wolverhampton. He studied animation at university before moving to Newcastle upon Tyne and training as a social worker. After gaining a distinction in his creative writing MA at Newcastle University, John now writes page-turning fiction for children as well as projects for the stage and screen. His first novel, Freaks United has been shortlisted for the Hull Book Award. John likes to spend time with his family and friends, play old video games, watch bad movies and read good books. He is an avid football fan and supports Manchester United.
