Football Academy Reading the Game

One of six titles in the Football Academy series, each featuring two young players, this slim chapter book centres on Ben and Ryan, as Ben faces expulsion from United’s Under Twelve because he is behaving badly and missing practices.

The team coach Steve discovers that Ben is failing at school, and disguising the fact that he cannot read, relying on Ryan to help him with his work. Teaching him through football-related topics, Steve convinces Ben that he is not alone with his problem, and inspires him to ask for help.

Palmer’s series addresses many issues that concern boys, and this well-illustrated, simple but lively text will particularly engage with those who, like Ben, are afraid to admit their reading difficulties.