Man of the match ISBN: 9781842704202
Published by Andersen Press, 2005
When Bobby, the Down's syndrome star of 'Bobby, Charlton and the Mountain', and his sister Charlie go off to a camp for special needs children and their siblings, Bobby is convinced they will be playing football all week. Charlie, who is adept at looking after her brother, at first worries about Bobby in strange situations. She herself must face up to a fear of water. But soon the irrepressible Bobby is rigging up goal posts everywhere, chanting his own versions of 'You'll never walk alone', and getting himself and new friend Paul (probably autistic) into all sorts of scrapes. The silent Paul, it develops, has a football obsession too, and it is Bobby's insistence on his friendship that finally makes Paul talk. A short book, only 75 pages and with lots of super black and white illustrations, the story is funny and moving, and has at its heart a most remarkable child. Bobby is cheerful, obstinate and both fearful and fearless - a true hero. A third book in the series, Team Trouble (9781842706848), again features the family.
Age: 7+
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