Matt Oldfield’s books are so popular in our school Library - to the extent that I have to lock them away to stop them being stolen! This is the first I have read of his ‘Johnny Ball’ series and I wasn’t too sure what to expect.

The story follows Johnny take on an assistant manager role at an Under 12 girls football team. This is a nice touch, and well-timed with the Women’s World Cup coming up in the summer. The story is nice enough with some funny, light-hearted moments. In parts in can be quite in-depth with the technicalities of what is happening on the pitch, so I would say readers who aren’t avid football fans may lose interest.

My biggest issue with the story was the use of ‘z’ at the end of many words, ‘skillz’ being the main one! It is such a battle trying snap students out of text-speak in their writing, that I would have liked to see the story written with words in their proper form. This may just be me!

This being said, the illustrations are lovely and make the book a light and easy read for any young, football loving fan.

I am not a footie fan. Actually I don't even like footie. I have a padlet for my students to post their book reviews, chit-chats, etc. There is this one boy who loves football and he has been posting God knows how many Utlimate Footballer book reviews. I saw this on NetGalley. I told him in class, "There is a new footie book out. I am not reviewing it..." "No! Why not?" "Errmmm... not a footie fan..." "But I am!" By then, I was a tad lost about what did that have to do with me reviewing it or not. "...." was my reply. So, he went on, "You HAVE TO review it!"

So, here I am. I consider myself ordered by a 9 year old to review this. And as much as I hate to admit it, he was right. This is a fabulous read. I really love it. I mean, I love the book, not footie. I would never love footie.

It is a hilarious book about a child football team manager. It reminds me of the Accidental Prime Minister series or the Little Badman series.

Right, I can get the 9 year old off my back now.