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A young boy's relationship with his struggling dad is strained when he is forced to choose between playing football and quality time in this sensitively told story from award-winning writer Tony Bradman.
Daniel had a hard time when his parents split up and his dad started working abroad. He had to move and start at a new school, but things changed for the better when he started playing football for the Haybrook Rockets. This season the team are in with a chance of winning the Championship, but just as things are looking up for Daniel his dad comes back and the only time he can meet up is a Saturday morning - when Daniel plays football. He doesn't want to let his dad or his team down, so what is Daniel going to do?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
About the author
Tony Bradman started working life in the music press. In 1979 he joined Parents magazine where he launched their highly successful children's book pages and, in 1985, the Best Books For Babies Award. He went freelance as a children's author in 1987 and by 1992 was among the top 20 children's authors borrowed from UK public libraries.
Report
"A sweet, relatable tale about a football-mad lad who's in a dilemma over his deadbeat dad ... Explores the consequences ... With clarity and sensitivity." - The Times
"Harnessing all the familiar feelings and frustrations of children caught between warring parents, Bradman brings us a story full of warmth, insight and wisdom, with the added poignancy of Rex's expressive and emotive artwork." - Lancaster Guardian
"A sensitively told story about being caught in the middle of a family separation, and how friendship and football change things for the better ... A short book that packs an emotional punch." - The School Librarian
"A story that will be full of very real dilemmas for many children who have a parent living away from them and it's good to read a story in which the consequences are presented so sympathetically whilst at the same time illustrating that there aren't simple answers." - The Letterpress Project
"Harnessing all the familiar feelings and frustrations of children caught between warring parents, Bradman brings us a story full of warmth, insight and wisdom, with the added poignancy of Rex's expressive and emotive artwork." - Book-marked
