A young Sikh footballer reaches out across the generational divide to help a lonely old man in an uplifting story from acclaimed author Bali Rai.

Bobby Bains loves football. He also loves helping other people. As a Sikh, it's part of his religion. While helping his mum at the community food bank, Bobby meets an old man called Trevor, who seems lonely.

Bobby thinks Trevor would get on well with his nana-ji, his grandad. Both love football and reggae music. But Nana-ji and Trevor have dodgy old knees and can't run like they used to. So, Bobby hatches a plan to get them playing. They could use the exercise and perhaps Trevor won't feel so lonely any more.

Will Bobby's plan work? It's a big ask, but, after all, if you don't shoot, you don't score!

About the Author

Bali Rai was born in Leicester where he grew up in a multicultural community dreaming of playing football for Liverpool FC, being Bob Marley or becoming a writer. He writes the books he would have enjoyed as a teenager and his book Rani and Sukh is a set-text for GCSE English. His novel, Killing Honour, won the North East Teenage Book Award, and was described as "utterly compelling" by The Bookseller.

Reviews

"This heart-warming story of kindness and community is a delight ... Bali Rai expertly touches on poverty and on the principles Sikhs live by, interweaving these themes and observations into a contemporary, engaging story. Daniel Duncan's black-and-white illustrations are full of expression and recognisable details." - BookTrust

"Positive and rarely seen representation of a Sikh protagonist and family, and the focus of this book is all about intergenerational friendship, community activism and the power of football to bring not only individuals but communities together." - CLPE

"This book is about football but in the most part, it is about kindness, friendship, loneliness, the important work of food banks and a sense of community." - Bentley Heath PS Book Club

A beautiful exploration of the power of football and its ability to bring people together." - Father Teacher Reader

"The power of football is explored in the most beautiful way, alongside the importance of showing kindness to others and combatting loneliness - especially in the older generation - in a story that is both heartwarming and deeply thought-provoking ... an inclusive and an incredibly important read for those in Year 4 upwards." - Mrs Sydney's Famous World's Smallest Library

Book Information
ISBN 9781800902541
Author Bali Rai
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Barrington Stoke Ltd
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 160g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 6mm