With the men’s Rugby Union World Cup being hosted by France in September and October, look out for my rugby-related competitions and resources linking rugby and reading.
Or please email me back for more information subject “Remembrance”
Starting 30 Oct 2023 Christmas Book Gifting
For the past ten years I have asked teachers, TAs and librarians if they would be kind enough to nominate a child they think would benefit from the gift of a book for Christmas.
My family and I would like to do the same for Christmas 2023.
Free Holocaust Memorial Day resources suitable for every school to use in the run up to Holocaust Memorial Day produced with the National Literacy Trust.
We will be offering a range of free resources for Key Stage 2 & 3 to mark Holocaust Memorial Day including a virtual assembly with a Holocaust Survivor.
USE this form to receive availability and publication reminders
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Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
With an extra special Christmas or birthday card from me on request!
WIN THREE BOOKS FEATURING SPORTING GIRLS AS THE MAIN CHARACTER FOR YOUR SCHOOL
After the buzz created by the Lionesses in this summer’s World Cup finals, I expect school libraries will be looking to restock with even more books about girls playing sport.
I’m offering schools the chance to win one of six sets of threeof my books and a pack of 10 sample chapters of my forthcoming book about a British girl who goes to play football in California.
TO ENTER :
Please either RETWEET on Twitter and/or SHARE on Facebook and then enter your details below.
Three sets – for you to give to a school of your choice – will be up for grabs on each platform. Deadline is midnight on Sunday 20th August 2023. Winners will be drawn at random.
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I have written many sports stories featuring girls as the main character:
Secret FC (2010), 6+ Typhoon (2016), 7+ My First Football Game (2013), 4+ Armistice Runner(2018), 9+ Rocky(2020), 9+ Gus the Fantastic Football Cat (2018), 5+ Game Changer (2022), 10+ Soccer Diaries I(2023), 10+
“Rocky is a brilliant role model for girls and boys alike, showing that there is always a way through life’s challenges if you keep going and never give up.” Kate Heap
2023 World Cup Activities
Rocky Doodle Doo Colour in and add your own football linked doodles to download and print off here
Play Rocky’s 2023 World Cup Reading Game in the classroom or library and discover lots of way to enjoy football and enjoy readinghere.
More about my books featuring girls playing football:
4 + First Football Game
ISBN 9780007516438
Join Sam as she goes to her first ever football game. This exciting narrative follows Sam’s day from beginning to end, describing her journey to the stadium, the football songs she hears and the goals!
Published by Collins Educational. More about First Football Game here
5 + GUS THE FAMOUS FOOTBALL CAT
ISBN 9781405290944
A funny and heartwarming story about a girl and her pet cat, who becomes a World Cup celebrity!
There’s a football challenge at Yusra’s school and everyone wants to win. Which class can find the best way to predict England’s World Cup results? Yusra has an idea – her pet cat Gus could help! As Gus keeps guessing the scores right, the word spreads and soon everyone wants a piece of the famous football cat. But is the life of a celebrity as purrfect as it seems?
Lily, Maddie and Zach can’t believe it when the new headmaster bans football in the playground. Living in the inner-city, there is nowhere else to play. Then Zack has a brilliant plan and soon a very special secret football club is formed . . .
Rocky is the sixth and historic book in the brand new series of illustrated middle grade fiction titles starring Roy of the Rovers, the classic British children’s football hero rebooted for the 21st century. This time, it’s all about Rocky, Roy’s football-mad younger sister!
A struggling student and brilliant footballer, Rocky Race is many things, but to most people she’s just Roy Race’s little sister. It’s not much fun – especially as Melchester Rovers head to the League Cup Final.
Rocky’s sick of everyone knowing her through Roy, she’s had enough of school, and she’s even started having panic attacks.
Now it’s up to Rocky to find her own way – as a person and a player – and she’s going to need all her grit and determination to do it…
The newly formed Melchester Women’s team are going from strength to strength in their first full season of professional football, lead by the tenacious Rocky Race. Can she maintain her match-winning performances? And just where does her footballing future lie?
‘I LOVED this book! I love how the story turns from one stage to another. I would definitely recommend it to any girl who enjoys football! I love that Rocky has real determination and passion for the game.’ Jess, Year 5.
Rocky of the Rovers book – Game Changer – was selected for the 2023 Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Game Changer is the latest story about Rocky Race, sister of Roy of the Rovers, and has already been featured on the front page of the Times newspaper.
The Soccer Diaries is a brand new series starring Rocky Race, a British footballer looking to make it big in a US soccer school.
Rocky Race is not your average fourteen year old. She’s determined, ambitious and the best football player you’ve ever seen. So, when she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a prestigious soccer camp in California, USA, she takes it. But far from home, Rocky suddenly finds herself out of her comfort zone. Fake friends, her own anxieties and a brand new world with strange rules all threaten to derail her new life before it’s even started – does Rocky have what it takes to succeed?
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
With an extra special Christmas or birthday card from me on request!
2023 marks the 79th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
To mark the 79th anniversary of D-Day on 6 June 2023, I will have a SPECIAL competition coming soon on twitter to win your own Glenn soft toy dog and a signed copy of D-Day Dog.
Follow me on twitter @tompalmerauthor for a chance to win.
Cover: Tom Clohosy Cole
Jack can’t wait for the school trip to the D-Day landing beaches. It’s his chance to learn more about the war heroes he has always admired – brave men like his dad, who is a reserve soldier. But when his dad is called up to action and things at home spiral out of control, everything Jack believes about war is thrown into question.
Finding comfort only in the presence of his loyal dog, Finn, Jack is drawn to the heart-wrenching true story of one particular D-Day paratrooper. On 6 June 1944, Emile Corteil parachuted into France with his dog, Glen – and Jack is determined to discover their fate … More about D-Day Dog here.
D-Day Resources
Poster to download here
D-Day Dog cover prediction worksheets Download here
D-Day Dog Blackout Poem ChallengeIntroduction and how to guide to create your own Blackout Poems, including suggested texts, examples and a certificate. Download here
10 Questions about War for class discussions Download here
ColouringWhat view do you think Jack and his new puppy are looking at? Can you draw the plane Emile and his dog Glenn are parachuting out or where they might be landing? Download here
Thank you @BGSLibraries
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here. With an extra special Christmas or birthday card from me on request!
Foul Play was my first children’s football series for Puffin.
Football Detective Danny Harte’s adventures took him all over the world tackling football crimes with the help of his friend Charlotte Duncan.
The series was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award
Follow me on twitter @tompalmerauthor for the chance coming up to win a very special Foul Play prize.
Find out more about Foul Play here.
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
With an extra special Christmas or birthday card from me on request!
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Fairtrade Fortnight is a great opportunity to get children thinking about where they spend their money and the difference that choice can make other people’s lives. My children’s book “Off Side” is about fairtrade, trafficking and football.
Poster packs
If you would like a special Fairtrade signed poster pack please fill in the order form below:
Fairtrade Fiction : Off Side
Playing football with Akomaden pupils
“Off Side” is about fairtrade, trafficking and football.
The hero of my children’s book Offside, is a boy called Kofi, who – as well as being a gifted footballer – is the son of cocoa bean farmers in Ghana.
At the beginning of the Off Side, Kofi’s family were being cheated and not paid a fair amount for their beans.
By the end they had become part of the Kuapa Kokoo co-operative which supplies chocolate manufacturers Divine.
Visiting Akomaden school
I was very lucky, when in Ghana researching my novel Offside, that Divine took me to meet some farmers and to Akomaden School which is directly paid for by our buying Fairtrade Chocolate.
I have seen how the choice we make to buy Fairtrade chocolate improves lives: children being well-schooled, families learning to run their own businesses and improved homes and healthcare.
Fairtrade Fortnight Resources
Free Fairtrade schools’ pack
When I came home I worked with Divine Chocolate to produce a schools’ pack that should encourage children to think about the impact of buying Fairtrade products.
I offer virtual and in-person school visits to talk about fair trade, reading, writing and football, linked to my book – Off Side – about a sixteen year old son of a cocoa farmer who is trafficked from Ghana to England, thinking he is going to be a famous footballer. Having seen at first hand the difference it makes, I try to choose Fair Trade where I can.
Off Side also looks at people trafficking, particularly the exploitation of young footballers from Africa.
Bismark Boateng, the player who I met and based my character Kofi Danquah on, is now on the books of Manchester City and is currently on loan in Finland ! More here.
“Anton Holt” interviews Tom Palmer about writing Offside
Why did you write about an African footballer?
Research trip to GhanaI’d read a lot about how young players from Ghana and the Ivory Coast get cheated when they come to play in France and Belgium. I wondered what would happen if the same thing went on in the UK.
So you went to Ghana?
I did. It was amazing. I saw football games, watched a youth academy team and spent time with Man U’s scout for Africa. It was awesome. I also saw some cocoa farms. Chocolate is a big part of the book.
And does it tie in to the 2010 World Cup, in Africa for the first time?It does. I wanted to celebrate that too. It is great that Africa has the tournament at last. The continent’s teams have been wonderful to watch over the last few years. Cameroon. Senegal. And I think, in 2010, Ghana will be good to watch.
What age is it suitable for? Off Side is perfect for Y5. The Foul Play books are all 9+.
Real Reader Reviews
“This sporting crime thriller is the third in Tom Palmer’s football series. With a plot involving a foreign buy-out of City FC and a corrupt agent, this is a cracking read for lads who love their football. “Sunday Express
“Danny and his friends Paul and Charlotte live in an unnamed British City and are all enthusiastic followers of their football club, City F.C. Kofi grows up thousands of miles away in the Ghanaian city of Kumasi. When Kofi, a promising footballer, is brought to City F.C. under false pretences by a cheating football agent, the lives of the four youngsters intertwine. Will Danny, Paul and Charlotte be able to save their much-loved football club from a hostile takeover? And will Kofi be accepted by City F.C. and manage to fulfil the burning hopes his family have for him? This is more than just a fast-paced novel about football. It is a novel which touches on many important subjects – injustice and poverty, friendship and dreams, relationships between different countries, corporate business and people power. This novel is so good all children should read it, not just young football fans!”Sebastian Westwood, Redhouse Book kids reviewer
“I was asked to review this by Sarah at book rabbit ,she knows i love football so said yes have also been looking for a young adult to read and this was perfect i sat and read it in a few hours ,what tom has done is wonderfully summed up major concerns in world football for kids with out talking down to them ,this book should be given to any young boy that likes football but not reading it is vibrant and gives people a view in to the darker side of football .there is also the undercurrent of fairtrade to get kids think about where things come from .a lovely book this is out this month from puffin .” http://winstonsdad.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/off-side-by-tom-palmer/
“Full of drama, this is a fast moving crime thriller of football, corruption and clever detective work. Danny Harte is a passionate City FC football fan. He is also a very keen detective. With rumours flying around that City FC is up for sale, Danny sets about trying to find out what is going on. His sleuthing leads him to find Kofi, a young player from Ghana who has been duped by a crooked agent. Helped by a local journalist, Danny sets about setting things right but, in doing so, he finds himself in the greatest danger!” Julia Ecclesharewww.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/5378/Foul-Play-Off-Side-by-Tom-Palmer.html
“This is the third book in the Off Side series by Tom Palmer, who knows just what’s needed to get children, especially boys, reading. A combination of footballer’s passion, detective work and the game itself make this a winner. ” http://www.hearditintheplayground.com/readingzone-reviews-5610/
2023 Fairtrade Activities
Virtual Event with Fairtrade Foundation
Join me on 7 March for a virtual event with the Fairtrade Foundation.
Follow me on twitter @tompalmerauthor for a chance coming up to win 6 months supply of Fairtrade Divine chocolate, just retweet my post of 26 February by Sunday 5 March 2023.
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
Schools bumper book pack and class set offers here.
Signed and dedicated copies of my books make an ideal Christmas gift.
They are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
Christmas card from 2020
And each order made through the Thoughtful Spot will come with a special Christmas Card created by our good friend and illustrator James Innerdale to mark the publication of a new book of mine and a bookmark.
Books can be simply signed by me or using their website you can specify a message like “To Nadiya, Happy Christmas” for me to add.
We have also been asked for books to be dedicated in memory of an armed forces family member. For example, on copies of Arctic Star Tom can add a name and the ship the served on in memory of someone who served in the Royal Navy.
Thank you! Our replies are never automated. You will get a personal reply so please be patient with us!
Data protection notice – we respect your privacy and we will not share your details with anyone else. You may unsubscribe at any time by emailing admin (at) tompalmer (dot) co (dot) uk or use my simple unsubscribe pagehere. If you are under 16, please always make sure to ask a parent for their permission before you give your details to this or any other website. Please refer to my Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions for further information.
DISCOVER more about the inspiration behind Resist here.
Tarn grapples with the loss of her brother at Dunkirk as she faces the threat of Nazi invasion in the Cumbrian countryside in this gripping wartime tale.
If you are visiting Grasmere, use our special commemorative map to see the key book locations through the village, beautifully illustrated by James Innerdale.
Notes
SIGNED BOOKS
Signed copies make an extra special gift. I can sign and personalise books - including a special birthday card - through my local independent children's bookshop.
My newsletter is emailed 3 times a year. Choose from Termly resources news for Teachers and Librarians or Holiday reading news for Young Readers and their families.
Please enjoy my books for free at school & public libraries, buy them from your local independent bookshop and high street shops like Waterstone's and WHSmith or visit my Amazon bookshop. Thank you.
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