Welcome! I hope this website will help readers, parents, teachers and librarians find out more about me and my children’s books. And you can subscribe to my termly e-newsletter here or email to ask me something particular here or use my contact form here.
“One of the best football writers of our time” The Guardian
I am the author of three Puffin football children’s series, Football Academy, Foul Play and The Squad and 14 books for Barrington Stoke. Foul Play was short listed for the 2009 Blue Peter Book Award. “An excellent fast-paced detective novel” The Times. My children’s novel Armistice Runner has just won FCBG Older Children’s Book Award. More awards here.
“Tom Palmer is definitely in the premier league of children’s authors with an impressive back catalogue of soccer stories.” Mumsnet
NEW Writing
This year, I have been heavily researching and planning a new children’s story with the kind support the Lake District Holocaust Project. It will be about the three hundred child concentration camp survivors who came to the Lake District nearly 75 years ago (known as the Windermere Boys). Read on about my current writing projects here.
Sept to Nov 2019 – Men’s Rugby World Cup
Use my NEW Rugby Academy trilogy compilation and free accompanying resources to promote reading for pleasure during the forthcoming Rugby World Cup. Read on here.
NEW D-Day Dog
Jack can’t wait for the school trip to the D-Day landing beaches to learn more about the war heroes he has always admired – brave men like his dad. But when his dad is called up to action Jack questions all he believes about war. Finding comfort in his loyal dog, Finn, Jack is drawn to the heart-wrenching true story of one particular D-Day paratrooper …
“A book I read with my heart in my mouth and tears in my eyes, this is undoubtedly one of the most thought-provoking stories I’ve ever read.” Madge Reviews
D-Day Dog has just been long-listed for the 2020 Grampian Children’s book award!
NEW Roy of the Rovers Fiction 4 : On Tour
Something strange is afoot. As Rovers head off on a pre-season tour, Roy’s treated differently, and kept apart from the team. What’s going on, and why are Rovers bringing in new players? With his family life hitting a rough patch and everything in flux at Mel Park, it’s time for Roy of the Rovers to fight for his team, his family – and his career in football… Read chapter 1 here
More here
“Tom Palmer is a true reading hero and has been responsible for motivating many thousands of young people to get into books” Booktrust
Awards Latest …
I am thrilled that Armistice Runner has just won a prize at the Children’s Book Awards! It has also been selected for the 2019 Book Trust’s #MyBookbuzz and has won :
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- the Cheshire Schools Book Award
- the KS3 James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award 2019
- the Tees Valley TVED Book of the Year 2019
Keen young fell-runner Lily discovers her great-great-grandfather’s diaries from the First World War. Could his incredible story of bravery help her reconnect with her gran -who she is losing to dementia – and even give her the inspiration she needs to push through and win? More awards news here
Read on about all my books for children here.
Author Visits Availability
I am available to visit schools, libraries and festivals from April 2020 offering:
- my Football Reading Game
- my Rugby Reading Game
- talks about Fair Trade
- a focus on Historical Fiction
“The work of this author is making a valuable contribution to improving pupils’ writing.” Ofsted
“The impact of last year’s visit was massive and has really helped us develop reading with our current year 6 group. In reading surveys and discussions your books always get a mention and are still read by a lot of the year group.” Green Lane Primary School
“There is no doubt that Tom Palmer has a Growth Mindset!” Reigate St Mary’s
“Many thanks for a great morning with our school. Everybody had a fantastic time and the children are very keen to read the books now. The teachers are very impressed with all the resources that you put together as well.” Thomas’s London Day Schools
“Every single child in the hall, of all ages and stages, absolutely loved what he said and did and I had teachers staying voluntarily (when they had free time, reports to write and other things to do!) and so many of them came to see me afterwards to say how much they had enjoyed listening to him and watching the way in which he engaged with all of our children, from Year 3 to Year 8. We really enjoyed having Tom visit Edgeborough again.” Edgeborough School
Read on about my school author visits here.
FREE Kindle books
Free to Kindle Unlimited Subscribers, RRP 99p.
Foul Play : The Danger Academy
Get the books here
Remembrance Resources
This is great opportunity to encourage reading and build on the national interest in the First World War centenary.
Free downloads of literacy resources here
Signed Books
Buy signed and dedicated books here or via my contact form here. RRP plus postage (£1.50 for 1 book; FREE for 2+ books to 1 UK address; outside UK at cost). Gift-wrapped with a card from me. “Just to let you know that the books and card arrived safely yesterday, complete with beautiful gift wrapping. Thanks so much ” Fiona
Visit my 
Bookshop
Email me here for more information or use my contact form here.
Thank you.
