{"title":"Alan Gibbons","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlan Gibbons writes compelling stories for young readers, blending themes of friendship, identity, and community. His novels like \u003cem\u003eThe Number 7 Shirt\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Greatest\u003c\/em\u003e capture the vibrancy of youth through the lens of sport and everyday challenges, making his work both engaging and relatable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether exploring the joys of football, as in \u003cem\u003eSuper Sub\u003c\/em\u003e, or the complexities of family and belonging in \u003cem\u003eStreet Corner Dad\u003c\/em\u003e, Gibbons’ books offer heartfelt narratives that resonate with children and young adults alike. His storytelling invites readers to experience diverse perspectives with warmth and honesty.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"keeper-by-alan-gibbons-9781781129630","title":"Keeper","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA talented new goalie faces problems at home in this thought-provoking football story, accompanied by fascinating facts about famous goalies and the history of goalkeeping.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNew boy Shane Logan has a temper, but he’s also a talented goalie. When Peter and his friends invite Shane to join their football team, he delivers a star performance in the first match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut Shane’s not the only one who makes an impression. Hanging over him like a shadow is his dad, Mick, who yells orders and insults from the sidelines. What is Mick’s problem? And why does Shane seem afraid of him? The more Peter gets to know Shane, the more he worries that something is wrong – and that Shane’s not as tough as he seems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46690315763948,"sku":"9781781129630","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3996923482822.jpg?v=1753418964"},{"product_id":"super-sub-by-alan-gibbons-9781800900622","title":"Super Sub","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBengo is the best player Smithy's ever seen, so why is he always left on the bench? An action-packed football story accompanied by fascinating facts and historical detail about famous substitutes.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNew boy Smithy can’t understand why everyone is so excited about a player on the football team called \u003cem\u003eSuper Sub\u003c\/em\u003e. He’s been absent for the first few games of the season and starts the next game on the bench, so surely he can’t be that special?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut when their coach pulls Smithy off and sends Bengo on in his place, Smithy gets a chance to see him in action. Bengo is easily the best player Smithy’s ever seen, putting in perfect crosses and generally running the opposition ragged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSo why is Bengo left on the bench so often, and why does he seem to bottle it when any strong tackles come his way?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46695496351980,"sku":"9781800900622","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/5106313482829.jpg?v=1753657313"},{"product_id":"the-beautiful-game-by-alan-gibbons-9781781126912","title":"The Beautiful Game","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFact and fiction intertwine in this heartfelt tribute to football, honouring victims of Hillsborough and other disasters, and celebrating trailblazing black players.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Beautiful Game\u003c\/em\u003e follows Lennie, for whom football is life, just as it was for his dad and grandad before him. However, Lennie becomes involved with some fans who want to cause trouble at a game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis dad and grandad understand all too well the cost of fan violence, official neglect, and racism in football. They take Lennie on a whistle-stop tour of the dark side of the beautiful game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePacked with facts about football disasters and controversies, this passionate and timely book charts the highs and lows of our national obsession.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46696361197804,"sku":"9781781126912","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3969743482822.jpg?v=1753684960"},{"product_id":"street-corner-dad-by-alan-gibbons-9781781124376","title":"Street Corner Dad","description":"\u003cp\u003eFamily drama set during World War II. When Jimmy and Molly lose their mother in an air-raid, their father has no choice but to leave them in the care of their Nan when he goes to fight. Will the children ever see him again? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eFamily drama set during World War II. It's the height of World War II. Jimmy and his sister Molly are a couple of the only kids to have not been evacuated to the countryside and with no school to speak of, they lead fairly carefree lives despite the war raging around them. But tragedy strikes when their mother is killed in an air-raid and Nan, blaming their father for her death, forbids him to see the children ever again. Can Jimmy and Molly figure out a way to see their father? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46996214644972,"sku":"9781781124376","price":18.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781781124376.jpg?v=1763124351"},{"product_id":"the-number-7-shirt-by-alan-gibbons-9781781121337","title":"The Number 7 Shirt","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan the advice of five of Manchester United's greats help Jimmy achieve his dream of becoming a professional footballer? Featuring facts about Best, Beckham, Cantona, Robson and Ronaldo, this is a must-have for young fans.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eFootball is Jimmy's life. When he gets into the Man U Academy, it's a dream come true – but he still has lots to learn. Lucky for him, he's got help … his football heroes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey all have one thing in common – the Number 7 Shirt. Can Jimmy win, now that he's got the help he needs?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46996434518252,"sku":"9781781121337","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781781121337.jpg?v=1763127437"},{"product_id":"a-strange-land-by-alan-gibbons-9781781124321","title":"A Strange Land","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJack must find the courage to stand up for his friend in this poignant story about intolerance and bullying.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Blokes rule Jack's school. They're bullies, racists and meaner than anyone around. And they've targeted Jack's new friend Hassan as their latest victim. Hassan has escaped war in his homeland only to be faced with the wrath of the Blokes. Can Jack stand up for his friend or will he break under pressure?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47417805668588,"sku":"9781781124321","price":18.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/81_88W7_-XL._SL1500.jpg?v=1774310501"},{"product_id":"home-ground-by-alan-gibbons-9781781128565","title":"Home Ground","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA timely and thought-provoking football story about prejudice and acceptance, including facts about refugees and the role football can play in welcoming new members of the community.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eSam's football team are struggling this season. They keep losing matches and captain Jordan's bad attitude isn't helping anyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen Sam spots Hasan playing for the refugee team on the next pitch, he can see that Hasan's got talent and invites him along to practise. Hasan and his friend Faisal are skilled players – exactly what the team needs – but Jordan's not ready to accept them so easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith the last game of the season fast approaching, can Sam help the boys pull together in time?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 9.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47417812058348,"sku":"9781781128565","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/71fPll157bL._SL1500.jpg?v=1774310784"},{"product_id":"the-greatest-by-alan-gibbons-9781781123645","title":"The Greatest","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAli takes inspiration from his hero Muhammad Ali in this engaging story about standing up to bullies and overcoming the odds, packed with facts about the iconic boxer.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eChris has been picking on Ali for ages. Ali knows he needs to stand up for himself. And so he turns to his hero for inspiration … Muhammad Ali – the boxer who could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47417826443500,"sku":"9781781123645","price":18.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/71ri1J38uOL._SL1500.jpg?v=1774311348"},{"product_id":"the-lion-roars-by-alan-gibbons-9781781125632","title":"The Lion Roars","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFact and fiction intertwine in this exciting celebration of African football, with a strong message of ambition, hard work, and determination at its heart.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFootball is Jimi's biggest love and he dreams about playing for the Lions of Senegal. But Jimi's teammates say he's just a cub. Does he have the fight to make it as a star?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut Jimi won't give in, and he has his heroes to inspire him: Didier Drogba, Patrick Vieira, and Yaya Tourè. With their help, can Jimi grow into a lion?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInterwoven with facts and figures about the amazing footballers of Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47899960017132,"sku":"9781781125632","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781781125632-the-lion-roars.jpg?v=1783380470"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/alan-gibbons.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}