Front Foot

PREORDER — Expected release: 02 February 2027. This book is not yet available. Dispatch is subject to supplier availability and publication-date changes.

Navigating life in England, Azeem hopes to share his passion for cricket with his new friends in this action-packed sports story from award-winning author Tom Palmer.

Azeem's father dreams of one day seeing his son play cricket on an English cricket pitch wearing English cricket whites. Getting to grips with his new life in the UK, Azeem can't understand why the children on his estate would rather kick a ball than bowl one.As he anxiously awaits news from his mum and sister, who are stuck in a refugee camp in Pakistan, Azeem distracts himself with teaching his new friends how to play cricket. He takes a chance by inviting some intimidating, older boys in the local park to play with them and soon enough, a team is formed.But with worry for his family worsening, will Azeem be able to play on his Front Foot?Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 7.

About the author

Tom Palmer was a reluctant reader as a child and credits articles about football with getting him into reading. He is now the multi-award-winning author of many books for young readers, including the Young Quills Award winner After the War and FCBG Children's Book Award winners Armistice Runner and D-Day Dog. In 2019 Tom was awarded the National Literacy Trust's Ruth Rendell Award in recognition of his significant contribution to literacy work in the UK.

Robin Boyden is the author-illustrator of Gerald Needs a Friend and the illustrator of numerous bestselling middle grade and non-fiction books for children, including the My Brother Is a Superhero series by David Solomons, Leah Williamson's The Wonder Team series, and the Dr Who Team TARDIS Diaries. He lives with his family in Cheltenham.