The Football Girl Wonder

For every athlete or sports fanatic who knows she's just as good as the guys. This is for fans of The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen, Grace, Gold, and Glory by Gabrielle Douglass and Breakaway: Beyond the Goal by Alex Morgan. The summer before Caleb and Tessa enter high school, friendship has blossomed into a relationship . . . and their playful sports days are coming to an end. Caleb is getting ready to try out for the football team, and Tessa is training for cross-country. But all their structured plans derail in the final flag game when they lose. Tessa doesn’t want to end her career as a loser. She really enjoys playing, and if she’s being honest, she likes it even more than running cross-country. So what if she decided to play football instead? What would happen between her and Caleb? Or between her two best friends, who are counting on her to try out for cross-country with them? And will her parents be upset that she’s decided to take her hobby to the next level? This summer Caleb and Tessa figure out just what it means to be a boyfriend, girlfriend, teammate, best friend, and someone worth cheering for. “A great next choice for readers who have enjoyed Catherine Gilbert Murdock’s Dairy Queen and Miranda Kenneally’s Catching Jordan.”—SLJ “Fast-paced football action, realistic family drama, and sweet romance…[will have] readers looking for girl-powered sports stories…find[ing] plenty to like.”—Booklist “Tessa's ferocious competitiveness is appealing.”—Kirkus Reviews “[The Football Girl] serve[s] to illuminate the appropriately complicated emotions both of a young romance and of pursuing a dream. Heldring writes with insight and restraint.”—The Horn Book

"Hall Park Magpies are in a mess. Without Football Boy Wonder Charlie Fry, the team are in chaos as the new season approaches. With the problems mounting, Annie Cooper steps up to become the team's captain. Can the Football Girl Wonder inspire Magpies to return to winning ways? Or will they be deep in relegation trouble before Charlie Fry returns home?"--

Charlie Fry is football mad. He sleeps wearing his team's full kit and dreams of scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final. He plays football around the clock - at the park, on the way to school, at lunchtimes and even in his bedroom until his mum tells him off. But Charlie has a problem: he can't run very far. He has plenty of skill but his poorly lungs stop him from sprinting. And as an 11-year-old boy planning to become the Golden Boot winner at the World Cup, that's an issue. Then one day a freak accident presents Charlie with a unique goal-scoring gift - it means he can't miss. But can Charlie convince his local team Hall Park to give him the chance and use his new skill to deadly effect? Or will the nasty bullies from his school keep him stuck on the sidelines? ** The Football Boy Wonder is the bestselling soccer story for children aged 7-11. It looks at themes such as bullying, friendship, loyalty and the wonderful world of football. Reviews of the Football Boy Wonder: "Highly recommended. An enjoyable and clever story with a few lovely twists along the way." Amazon review. "My little brother, who is crazy about soccer, would love this book and would never let it go. It is a great gift to get a brother, nephew, son or cousin for any occasion. They will definitely enjoy it." 5* review from Readers' Favourite website. "Fantastic journey of friendship and sporting achievements. Well written and easy to understand Charlie's journey and how CF impacts his life." Amazon review. If your kids like Messi, Ronaldo or Harry Kane, then they'll love Charlie Fry!

Charlie Fry has been picked for England. The Football Boy Wonder never misses a shot after a freak accident gave him magical soccer skills. He has been breaking goalscoring records for Hall Park Magpies and now Charlie's incredible form has caught the eye of the national selectors. Impressed with his stunning shooting skills, they've selected the Boy Wonder to take part in the European Under-17s Championship in Spain. Aged 12, Charlie will be the youngest player in the entire international football competition. It is a dream come true. Playing against the best young footballers in Europe is a huge challenge. The eyes of the world are upon him. But dreams can quickly become nightmares. And Charlie soon realises his football skills are going to be tested like never before. The Football Genius is the seventh book in the bestselling Charlie Fry Series by Martin Smith. It is aimed at children aged seven to 12. The other books are: The Football Boy Wonder The Demon Football Manager The Magic Football Book The Football Spy The Football Superstar The Football Girl Wonder If you like Tom Palmer's books and Matt Oldfield's books, then the Charlie Fry series would be the best soccer books for you!

Charlie Fry is back - and facing his toughest challenge yet. Evil manager Chell Di Santos is desperate to know the secret behind the Football Boy Wonder's stunning success. And he'll do anything to find out. As Charlie prepares for the biggest game of his season against bully-boy Adam Knight, he is unaware the mysterious Football Spy is watching his every move. Hall Park Magpies are flying high. But with every win, the spy gets closer to discovering Charlie's big secret and ruining Charlie's football career forever. The Football Spy is the fourth part of the best-selling Charlie Fry Series, written by Martin Smith. It is aimed at children aged 7 to 13.

Football is at the heart of British culture – yet never has it been in greater turmoil. Once, football stood for passion, community, honour, even beauty. The game is in danger of losing its lifeblood - and its soul. In The Beautiful Game? David Conn, the game's most respected investigative journalist, sets out on a journey through the heart of our national game, exploring how the sport has failed - and who is to blame. This is a book for those who keep the faith, who believe that the sport itself, stripped of the greed and self-interest blighting its organisation, still has values, and can still be beautiful. ‘For a fascinating insight into the causes, and the creators, of the game's ills this is a superbly told tale’ Independent

Fix a Super Bowl? I never thought it possible, but 4th and Fixed is so chock-full of NFL skinny that it sweeps you along from the field to the front office and makes you believe. --Frank Deford

"Charlie Fry is the Football Boy Wonder. After being hit by a lightning bolt - he has developed a magical gift. When he shoots, he never misses. He's now being touted as a future England star - despite not yet starting a competitive game for his new club Hall Park Rovers. However Charlie, who has cystic fibrosis and struggles to run too far, soon finds out fame brings its own problems. He has a new manager to impress - and Chell Di Santos does not like sharing the limelight with his players. Can Charlie win him over and keep his dreams of being a top footballer alive? Or will the Demon Football Manager live up to his nickname?"--Back cover