Home Ground

A 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.

Sam's football team are struggling this season. They keep losing matches and captain Jordan's bad attitude isn't helping anyone.

When 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.

With the last game of the season fast approaching, can Sam help the boys pull together in time?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 9.

Reviews

"Packed with plenty of detailed football match action … a well told story that encourages empathy for refugees" – The Letterpress Project

"Home Ground will engage those wanting a story about ‘the beautiful game’ but, more than that, is a story of friendship and overcoming prejudice. This is a great book to introduce the importance of being tolerant and accepting others, irrespective of where they’re from." – Books for Topics

"A short, but necessary, story … It’s got football at its heart, and would appeal to all football fans out there. And the other thing that matters is friendship. Fairness. Understanding that not everyone is the same, but that we are equal in our own way, and that we all matter … I hope this book will both entertain and inform, and change" – Book Witch

"An important message about sport and the way it can bring together people from different communities, helping them to integrate" – Parents in Touch

About the author

A former primary school teacher, Alan Gibbons has sold over 1.3 million books and won many prestigious awards including the Blue Peter Award for ‘The Book I Couldn’t Put Down’. Alan is a high-profile library campaigner and education consultant and is a very popular speaker at schools, libraries, colleges and conferences – he visits over 150 schools a year.