Books for 5-8 year olds
The Proudest Blue - Ibtihaj Muhammad (author), S. K. Ali (author), Hatem Aly (illustrator)
It’s Faizah’s first day of school and her older sister Asiya’s first day of wearing hijab – made of a beautiful blue fabric. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful. In the face of hurtful, confusing words, will Faizah find new ways to be strong?
Spinderella - Julia Donaldson (author), Sebastien Braun (illustrator)
Spinderella the spider has a passion for football! She tries to play a match with her brothers and sisters but she doesn’t know how many spiders should be on each team. Even worse, she can’t count the goals! Luckily for Spinderella, her Hairy Godmother has a plan...
Sulwe - Lupita Nyong’o (author), Vashti Harrison (illustrator)
Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.
Sammy Striker and the Football Cup - Catherine Emmett (author),
Joe Berger (illustrator
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?
Secret FC - Tom Palmer
Secret FC is about two girls who set up a football team at their school when they are banned from playing.
Marv and the Dino Attack - Alex Falase-Koya (author), Paula Bowles (illustrator)
It’s an exciting day for Marvin and his classmates because they are visiting the Natural History Museum. Marvin and Joe can’t wait to see all those dinosaur skeletons up close, but they get more than they bargained for when supervillain Leo turns up and brings the dino skeletons to life! With the help of his loyal sidekick, a super-intelligent robot called Pixel, it’s time for Marvin to become superhero Marv. Marv must use all of his newfound superhero skills if he wants to stop Leo and save his classmates from the gang of marauding dino skeletons running riot!
Speak up! - Nathan Bryon (author), Dapo Adeola (illustrator)
Join the brilliantly passionate and instantly loveable Rocket as she organises a peaceful protest to save her local library! Bookworm Rocket loves to collect new books on her weekly visit to the library, and to read all about inspirational figures like Rosa Parks. She is heartbroken when she discovers the library will be closing down! Can she use what she’s learnt from Rosa and speak up to save the day?
M is for Mindfulness - Carolyn Suzuki (illustrator)
A gentle introduction to mindfulness - helping children to pay attention to breathing, thinking about their emotions and how to be in the present.
Girls can do anything! - Caryl Gart (author), Ali Pye (illustrator)
A book for every girl with a dream! Join the girls in the pages of this book to see the incredible things they do every day - and find out what you might like to do, too!
How to be Extraordinary - Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Could you be EXTRAORDINARY? This book will inspire you with the real-life stories of extraordinary people, showcasing a total variety of personalities and talents. Whoever you are, and whoever you want to be, read about the extraordinary stories of these 15 people, and decide how YOU will be ex- traordinary too!
Books for 9-12 year olds
She Shoots, She Scores!: A Celebration of Women’s Football - Catriona Clarke (author), Sarah Long (illustrator)
With a foreword by England player Steph Houghton, She Shoots, She Scores! tells the incredible story of the BEST sport in the world, women’s football – from the men who tried to ban it to the superstars of today’s game, including Lucy Bronze, Sam Kerr and Alex Morgan.
The Dream Team: Charligh Green vs. The Spotlight - Priscilla Mante
The next amazing book in THE DREAM TEAM series! A heart-warming, inclusive and funny new story about three big Fs: friends, following your dreams and football!
Baller Boys vs. The Bulldozers (Baller Boys 2) - Vanessa Taylor (author), Kenneth Ghann (illustrator)
Best friends Shay and Frankie, and their team AC United, are back for another football season, another year older, and ea- ger for a win... The duo soon realise that nothing ever stays the same, and change is a part of life whether they like itor not – both on and off the pitch. With new team members, the threat of losing their precious home turf, and changes afoot in their family lives too, can the boys work together to stay on track... and keep winning? And, of course, who will be crowned Baller Boy this season?
Lily and the Rockets - Rebecca Stevens
It’s 1917. Lily spends her days working in a munitions factory, her nights picking metal out of her hair, and her lunchtimes kicking a ball with her workmates. Together they form a foot- ball team, the Rockets, and a league soon follows. But when the war ends, the girls lose both their jobs and their football. Not Lily. If her only chance of being a goalie is to play with the men, then that’s what she’ll do...
The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Ghoul in the School - Marcus Rashford & Alex Falase-Koya (authors), Marta Kissi (illustrator)
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 go- ing 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?
Be Your Own Superhero - Dr Laura Meek (author), James Davies (illustrator)
This guide gives you the tools to develop your own set of superpowers, so that you can feel more in control of your life, happier, and more confident.
Lionesses: European Champions (Ultimate Football Heroes) - Emily Stead
Celebrating the success of the phenomenal Lionesses, this book follows four key players in their journey from the play- ground to the pitch, as they prepare for the biggest match of their lives. Learn how star players Lucy Bronze, Ellen White, Leah Williamson and Beth Mead stepped up to help the Lion- esses secure the title of European Champions 2022.
You Have the Power: Find Your Strength and Believe You Can - Leah Williamson & Suzanne Wrack
In the summer of 2022, Leah led the Lionesses to victory in the European Championships – now she wants to show you that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, both on and off the pitch, no matter what other people say. This positive guide for life will inspire you to lead like a pro, and motivate you to do what you love.
Run Like a Girl: 50 Extraordinary and Inspiring Sportswomen - Danielle Brown
All over the world, there are female athletes breaking barriers, pushing limits, and achieving amazing things, but where did their journeys begin? And what challenges did they have to overcome to get where they are today? The award-winning Run Like a Girl is a collection of fascinating biographicalstories told by 50 highly successful sportswomen, from boxing superstar Nicola Adams to record-breaking yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur and fearless mountain biker Rachel Atherton. As well as giving an insight into their influences, motivations and achievements, each story reminds us that failing can teach us just as much as winning; success isn’t limited to the sports field; and ‘running like a girl’ can lead you all the way to the top.
A Different Kind of Freedom: A Romani Story (Voices #7) - Richard O’Neill
A gripping football-filled adventure based in the Romani community of 19th-century Sheffield. This action-packed story is told through the eyes of young Lijah, as he navigates life and discovers football and the legendary Rab Howell. “Quick history of Rab Howell: born in a wagon on a camp like yours about thirty years ago. He played for United and England, and was one of the best players I ever saw.” In this heart-stopping adventure, Richard O’Neill shows us an important and intriguing time in Britain that’s sure to fascinate young readers.
Books for 13+ year olds
Run Rebel Run - Manjeet Mann
When Amber runs, it’s the only time she feels completely free - far away from her claustrophobic home life. Her father wants her to be a dutiful daughter, waiting for an arranged marriage like her sister. Running is a quiet rebellion. But Am- ber wants so much more - and she’s ready to fight for it.
Striking Out - Ian Wright, Musa Okwonga
Thirteen-year-old Jerome Jackson dreams of becoming a world-class footballer. But with a difficult home life, Jerome can’t see how he’ll ever make this dream come true... until he meets a mentor figure who can hopefully put him on the right track.
Rocky of the Rovers - Tom Palmer (author), Dan Cornwell (illustrator)
A struggling student and brilliant footballer, Rocky Race is many things, but to most people she’s just Roy Race’s little sister. It’s not much fun, especially as Melchester Rovers head to the League Cup Final. Rocky’s sick of everyone knowing her through Roy, she’s had enough of school, and she’s even started having panic attacks. Now it’s up to Rocky to find her own way - as a person and a player - and she’s going to need all her grit and determination to do it...
Generation Hope: You(th) Can Make a Difference! - Kimberlie Hamilton (author),
Risa Rodil (illustrator)
Generation Hope: You(th) Can Make a Difference introduces 20 global issues and many change-makers, like Greta Thunberg, who are doing something to make the world a better place. Generation Hope looks at everything from climate change and plastic pollution to radical kindness and animal welfare.
The Ultimate Guide to Women’s Football - Emily Stead
Take a tour through the world of women’s football, stopping off at the best stadiums and meeting global star players, from Megan Rapinoe to Lucy Bronze and Ada Hegerberg.
You Can Do It - Marcus Rashford & Carl Anka
Marcus uses the power of his voice to shine a light on the injustices that he cares passionately about, and now he wants to help YOU find the power in yours! From surrounding your- self with the right team, to showing kindness to those around you, to celebrating and championing difference, You Can Do
It shows you that your voice really does matter and that you can do anything you put your mind to. You don’t have to be an international footballer to make a difference – even the smallest changes can have the biggest impact.
Our Beautiful Game - Lou Kuenzler
A hundred years before the Lionesses, Lily Parr, Alice Woods and their teammates were proudly playing their beloved, exciting and skilful game. As men were sent to fight in the war, women and girls took their place in munitions factories. Football became a favourite pastime and, before long, they were creating all-female sides and playing public matches to sell-out crowds, overshadowing men’s football. Despite draw- ing crowds of 50,000, women’s football was outlawed by the Football Association in 1921, who deemed it ‘unsuitable for females’. This is the incredible story of these amazing women.
Guardiola: Tales From the Touchline - Harry Coninx
When Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola was a part of Barcelona’s ‘Dream Team’, he knew he wanted to swap the pitch for the touch- line. But learning how to handle the pressure, the press and the outrageous talent at the top of football doesn’t happen overnight. From his experience as a player to his time leading some of the most formidable sides in football history, this is the incredible story of how Pep forged himself into one of the greatest tactical managers of all time.
You Have the Power: Find Your Strength and Believe You Can - Leah Williamson & Suzanne Wrack
In the summer of 2022, Leah led the Lionesses to victory in the European Championships – now she wants to show you that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, both on and off the pitch, no matter what other people say. This positive guide for life will inspire you to lead like a pro, and motivate you to do what you love.
Dream Like Me: South Asian Football Trailblazers- Manisha Tailor
In this first of its kind book, trailblazing coach Manisha Tailor profiles 42 pioneering individuals working in all parts of the game – from male and female players to coaches, referees, board members, administrators, sports scientists and medical staff – and representing different cultures and faiths with-
in the British Asian community. Based on interviews, these powerful stories not only illustrate the challenges faced
by these role models, but lessons that they can offer young readers. Young people need to see people like them in order to believe that dreams are possible: the role models in this inspirational book will show South Asian children and teens that their football dreams can come true.
