Barrington Stoke Fiction: Over the Line by Tom Palmer (author) and Ollie Cuthbertson (illustrator)

Powerful historical novel about one footballer’s experience in World War I, based on the little-known history of the Flanders Cup. It’s 1914 and Jack is making his debut as a pro footballer. But his first match is marred by a demonstration demanding that the teams sign up to do their duty in France. Word of the Footballer’s Battalion and a cup in Flanders provides a glimmer of hope that Jack can keep his dream of playing for England alive. But as the war drags on, Jack is thrown into a nightmare world he will be lucky to survive. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 10+