Details Condition: BRAND NEW Format: Paperback ISBN: 9781837864140 Publisher: Rebellion Publishing Age Range: 9+ Overview The Soccer Diaries - Rocky Takes the Lead is a brand-new World Book Day 2025 paperback from bestselling children's sports author Tom Palmer. Starring determined footballer Rocky Race, this fast, funny chapter book explores friendship, identity and teamwork when Rocky's old English teammates clash with her new American squad. A perfect low-cost, high-appeal read for football-mad kids aged 9 and up, ideal for reluctant readers, classrooms and World Book Day token redemptions. About the Book Rocky Race is not your average teenager. Football-obsessed and endlessly ambitious, she moved from Melchester, England to the United States to train at a high school with a brilliant soccer team. She's settled in fast, made close new friends and even celebrated a state championship win. Life is good — until her old friends from England arrive to play a match against her new American team. Suddenly Rocky is caught in the middle of a very unexpected rivalry: not about skill on the pitch, but about language and identity. Her British friends call it "football" and her American friends call it "soccer," and as the big match looms, Rocky feels the pressure to pick a side. Written in Tom Palmer's signature short, punchy chapters, this World Book Day special captures the excitement of the game alongside a warm, relatable story about belonging. Palmer, a former reluctant reader himself, has built a career writing sport and history stories that hook young readers, and Rocky Race is one of his most engaging creations yet — sharp, funny and full of heart. With cliffhangers between chapters and a satisfying, unifying resolution, it's an ideal introduction to the wider Soccer Diaries series for any child who loves football, friendship stories or fast-paced fiction. Fast-moving, short chapters ideal for reluctant and emerging readers Relatable heroine navigating friendship, identity and leadership Fun British-vs-American "football" vs "soccer" culture clash Affordable World Book Day paperback, great value for classrooms and libraries From an award-nominated, trusted children's sports author Perfect entry point into the wider Soccer Diaries series About the Author Tom Palmer is a bestselling British children's author known for sport and history fiction that engages even the most reluctant readers. He has written the Football Academy, Foul Play and The Squad series for Puffin, plus acclaimed titles such as Armistice Runner and After the War for Barrington Stoke, both nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Tom visits over 150 schools a year delivering Football and Rugby Reading Games, making him one of the UK's most trusted voices in encouraging young people to read. Why You'll Love This Paperback A brilliantly fun, fast-paced football story with real heart, perfect for sport-loving kids aged 9+. Affordable, engaging and packed with humour and teamwork lessons — a fantastic World Book Day pick or everyday gift for young football fans. Please Note: Cover image shown is the UK edition; ISBN as listed is for the UK print edition.