Booked

Twelve-year-old Nick is a star on the football pitch, but at home he's stuck with his linguistic professor father's "dictionary" that he has to read every day, and he hates it... until his prowess with words starts to win over the girl of his dreams.

But it's not all smooth sailing as he has to deal with his parents' separation, school bullies and an injury that takes him off the pitch. Soon Nick is spending more time with books and his rapping school librarian Mr Mac as he makes his way through a rollercoaster year at school.

Booked is an incredible novel. Written in verse, it's instantly readable, will grip a reluctant reader from page one and will improve every reader's vocabulary without them even realising it. The story has something for everyone, from school and family drama to fast-paced, rhythmic football matches. It's a joy to read.