{"title":"Summer of Sport","description":"\u003cp\u003eFeeling the football frenzy? Navigating school sports day? Here are our recommended reads for both the \u003cstrong\u003every-football-mad\u003c\/strong\u003e AND our more \u003cstrong\u003ereluctant champions\u003c\/strong\u003e. From captivating stories of \u003cstrong\u003ereal-life legends\u003c\/strong\u003e, to children’s fiction that'll \u003cstrong\u003eboost confidence\u003c\/strong\u003e, all the way to teen dramas about \u003cstrong\u003enavigating relationships and identity\u003c\/strong\u003e, here are \u003cstrong\u003eour favourite books that go way beyond the game.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"girls-with-goals-how-womens-football-took-over-the-world","title":"Girls With Goals: How women's football took over the world","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe twisty, turny but triumphant rise of women''s football is one of the most fascinating stories in sports – and women''s – history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith stunningly adept storytelling and a wealth of historical and up-to-date imagery Girls with Goals tells this fascinating story from its origins in working class England to the worldwide phenomenon it is today. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Clelia Castro-Malaspina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55534382547331,"sku":"","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/files\/9781836001881_f504a81a-2ab1-48e0-b72f-17a86dee23a8.jpg?v=1780315011"},{"product_id":"keeping-possession","title":"Keeping Possession","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTalented defender Eboni navigates balancing new friendships with her passion for football in this sensitively told tale from acclaimed author Eve Ainsworth. Eboni’s decision to join the Lightmoor Lionesses has led to a falling-out with her closest friends on her old team. They feel betrayed and Eboni is frozen out at school.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeling isolated, she’s delighted when she forms a new friendship with popular Olivia, quickly realising they have loads in common. But there’s one problem. Olivia isn’t interested in football and can’t understand Eboni’s dedication to the sport that she loves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWill Eboni stay true to herself or will she sacrifice her footballing dreams for friendship? Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pickled Pepper Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57989061476739,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/files\/9780008744717.jpg?v=1778080879"},{"product_id":"goal-squad-win-the-cup","title":"Goal Squad: Win the Cup!","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEight-year-old Leo dreams of playing Premier League football. As TIGERS' star striker, he's got the skills - but not the luck. When their season opener against the EAGLES goes wrong, everything falls apart.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA devastating ankle injury sidelines Leo just when his team needs him most. His rival Olli steps up as substitute, leveling the score but leaving TIGERS dangling in the relegation zone. With only three matches left to save their season and a knockout cup within reach, time is running out.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCan Leo recover before it's too late? Will TIGERS avoid the drop? And is that a talent scout watching from the stands...? Accessible, highly illustrated text to grab young readers in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Gentle messages around teamwork and confidence-building Written by football fanatic, Scott Allen, and crammed with moves and strategy for young super-fans\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Scott Allen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58011246428547,"sku":null,"price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/files\/9780702346156.jpg?v=1778321915"},{"product_id":"marcus-rashford-world-of-football-my-ultimate-guide-to-the-game","title":"Marcus Rashford: World of Football : My Ultimate Guide to the Game","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWelcome to Marcus’s World of Football – a complete guide to the game, from the greatest players to the biggest stadiums and everything in between. It's the perfect World Cup companion for young footie fans!From the No. 1 bestselling authors of You Are a Champion, Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLearn all about: Marcus's footballing tips and tricks, Tournaments around the world (including the World Cup!) The history of the game, The G.O.A.T.s, How YOU can get into football And more! Discover everything there is to know about football! Including top player stats, fun facts about your favourite clubs and the rules of the game. Marcus will also teach you some handy tips and tricks on improving your own skills, as well as showing you all the different ways that you can get into football. Whether you’re a footballing pro or new to the game, Marcus’s World of Football is the ultimate guide to the beautiful game!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Marcus Rashford","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58011280343427,"sku":null,"price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/files\/9781035088492.jpg?v=1778323429"},{"product_id":"ultimate-football-heroes-colouring-book-world-cup-greatest-moments","title":"Ultimate Football Heroes Colouring Book: World Cup Greatest Moments","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the No.1 bestselling football series, comes the Ultimate Football Heroes Colouring Book: World Cup Greatest Moments! Experience and colour in 80 pages of iconic World Cup moments across generations in this exciting new colouring book. Featuring your favourite football heroes like Ronaldo, Messi, Pelé, Maradona and many more. Bring the beautiful game to life in this exciting colouring book.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach illustration will also be accompanied by one of the hero's greatest moments in World Cup history. Dive in and learn about the greatest football moments ever seen on the global stage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ultimate Football Heroes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58011304362371,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/files\/9781789469387.jpg?v=1778324723"},{"product_id":"unbelievable-football-world-of-football","title":"Unbelievable Football: World of Football","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThink you know everything about the world of football? Think again!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFrom incredible players to the history of the game on each of the five continents, this book is packed full of true stories and facts that’ll surprise even the maddest of football-mad kids.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Matt Oldfield","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58011404501379,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/files\/9781526368096.jpg?v=1778325252"},{"product_id":"the-open-era","title":"The Open Era","description":"\u003cp\u003eA sizzling new adult sports romance, for fans of Heated Rivalry, Challengers, Carrie Soto is Back and Red, White and Royal Blue. Game. Set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect Match? Recently-turned-pro tennis player Austin Hardy has been out since high school, and it’s never been a big deal. That is, until he becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam tournament. Suddenly, being gay is a huge deal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the newly found fame wasn’t enough to send Austin spiralling, then tripping and falling in front of the very talented, very attractive, (probably) straight World #2, Diego Cruz, is the last straw.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Edward Schmit","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58149232083331,"sku":null,"price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/files\/books_d1661cb6-d000-4ddd-bd4f-bbec79f63bff.jpg?v=1780054258"},{"product_id":"strike","title":"Strike","description":"\u003cp\u003eStrike is an action-packed football book about chasing your dreams and standing up for what you believe in. Place the ball. Pick your spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree steps back. Breathe. Owen is closer than ever to achieving his dream: becoming a professional footballer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll he has to do is stay focused. No distractions. Just football.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut when a hidden note tucked inside his new boots reveals a cry for help from the factory workers who made them, Owen discovers the beautiful game might be hiding some ugly secrets. Suddenly, chasing his dream doesn't feel so important. 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Banished by the king, Femi heads into the forest, where she finds herself right in the mouth of a cave where a huge, hungry Troll emerges… How will she get herself out of trouble?!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA perfect read to bring the worlds of fairytales and football together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIllustrated by Irina Avgustinovich.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eli Woollard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58163066536323,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/files\/71a3t3khGFL._SL1050.jpg?v=1780312335"},{"product_id":"i-am-lenny-brown","title":"I Am Lenny Brown","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e8-year-old Lenny Brown can only talk to his mum and his dog, Rocky. 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A thrilling adventure set in the world of elite football.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Matt Oldfield","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58163143147907,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/files\/hbg-title-football-spy-red-card-138-1.jpg?v=1780313514"},{"product_id":"swim-team","title":"Swim Team","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBree can’t wait for her first day at school, until she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears… Swimming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAn important and insightful graphic novel that follows young Bree as she faces up to her fears, all while confronting the long-standing barriers of systemic racism.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Johnnie Christmas","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58163149537667,"sku":null,"price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/files\/9780063056763_b166830b-145b-45fc-b817-e22539753427.jpg?v=1780313637"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/9544\/9177\/collections\/picture-books-2-6_183a4dc5-60b4-419e-ae24-edea3433af30.png?v=1780328251","url":"https:\/\/www.pickledpepperbooks.co.uk\/collections\/summer-of-sport.oembed","provider":"Pickled Pepper Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}