Books by Rob Childs

It's summer and so Bradley, Jagdish, Suresh and Shannon are playing rounders! Who will be the best fielder - could it be Dylan the dog? A Sports Special story from Rob Childs, featuring the characters from Wicked Day!

Jake loves football and fishing (even though he barely ever catches a fish) but his best friend Adam thinks fishing is cruel. Jake also hasn't been doing very well in their team's Sunday matches, but is determined to prove himself, score a hat-trick and win the match ball in the game against their arch rivals. Adam makes the stakes even higher by making a deal with Jake - he'll help Jake to score his three goals but in return Jake will have to give up fishing! Will Jake go for the hat-trick?

This exciting sci-fi adventure is sure to engage both teenagers and adults who are working to improve their reading skills.

Jonty's father is the Red Fox - a superstar in the pop world. And now Jonty's dad is helping the young footballers of Great Catesby Primary School in recording a special football song: Come on, you Greats!The third tale about Tom, Jonty and their friends in the school football team.

Have a go! Shoot!"e;Tom, captain of the school football team, can't believe what is happening. Everyone in the team is scoring goals - except him. He even misses a penalty! But when his teammate Jonty is suddenly in danger, Tom needs to find his shooting boots again - and quickly!

The end of the season is approaching and Danebridge School football team faces relegation down a league - unless they can win a few last-minute games. Can Chris Weston, their skipper and goalkeeper, pull the team together and get the vital results the team needs so badly? If he fails, it's the big drop for Danebridge...

Alex is always being left on the bench - in fact, he's sure he's only in the team at all because his dad helps out at his team's weekend matches. His teammates think he's just a useless jelly belly - but they get a shock when they see Alex has a hidden talent. That belly - and all the rest of him - turns out to be spectacularly good at stopping goals. Jelly Belly has found his place in the team! A sparkling football story about a determined underdog.

Every year, in the county of Medland, school football teams compete for the most prestigious trophy in the area - the County Cup. Round-robin tournaments determine the winners of the four Quarter Shields - in the North, the East, the South and the West and the winners then clash in the semi-finals and then the Finals. The first four books in this series detail the teams in each quarter, battling it out to win a place in the semi-finals. The winning teams - and characters - can then be followed through the series in subsequent titles.

The big freeze is wrecking the team's soccer season - they haven't played a proper match for two months and the novelty of playing indoors has long worn off.But then Jamie's father books them in for sessions on the all-weather pitches at the new sports centre, and they find themselves taking part in an exciting triangular tournament. But will Pud be able to keep his feet on the unfamiliar surface? And will the big-headed Carl Diamond keep them out of the Final?

When Chris Weston tries out for the Area soccer squad, he sees some great football skills . . . and some dreadful showing off.Carl Diamond, nephew of the famous international star Dazzler Diamond, seems to think he's good enough to play in the World Cup and, to be fair, his performance on the pitch is pretty stunning. But although he scores goal after goal, big-headed Carl knows all too well how good a player he is, and gets angry when other players don't meet his standard. Someone's going to have to put him in his place . . . but who?

'Show United's coaches what you can do!'Andrew Weston is off for four fabulous days of football - on a special coaching course at United's football ground. It's a terrific opportunity to develop his skills and, hopefully, to impress the talent scouts.There's just one drawback: an old enemy, Dean, is also on the course. And the tough, no-hold-barred striker has no hesitation in breaking the rules when it suits him - even if it could lead to someone getting hurt . . .Join Andrew on his big break in this action-packed title in the bestselling football series.

'Penalty!' bellowed the referee. 'No arguing.'The players of Danebridge football team, captained by goalkeeper Chris Weston, face an uphill struggle when they meet their local rivals, Shenby, in a cup-tie. For the referee - Shenby's new sports teacher - might as well be playing for Shenby. All his decisions go their way!Can Chris, with the help of his brother Andrew, find a way of making sure their next match against Shenby - a vital league clash - will be a fair one? Or will Danebridge's cup and league hopes be dashed because of a biased referee . . . ?

'WHAT A WAY TO END THE SEASON!'The football season may be drawing to a close, but Luke Crawford - skipper, player-manager and coach of the Swillsby Swifts Sunday League team - is still full of running . . . when he's not tripping up over his own feet! He's also still full of ideas and dreams. Luke's new sweeper system for the Swifts relies on the unpredictable talents of his Italian cousin Ricki, but will it be too late to save them from relegation? Luke would dearly love to win a medal in the school Cup Final too, if only he's given the chance to get on the pitch. One thing's for certain. With soccer-mad Luke on the loose, there are bound to be plenty of shocks in store for everyone before the final whistle blows . . .

Luke has always envied his cousin Jon's natural football skills - envied his ability to put the ball effortlessly into the back of the net with the sort of style that just can't be learned. That's why he's delighted when Jon agrees to play with his Sunday league team, the Swillsby Swifts, as they go on tour; with Jon on board, the team have a real chance of success. But to Luke's surprise, Jon isn't the only player to come across as a star . . .

In Soccer Showdowns best mates Michael and Josh play together in their school's cup final on Saturday. But on Sunday - captaining rival teams in a promotion battle - they have to put their friendship on holdTreeTops Fiction contains engaging novels from top authors and illustrators with the variety children need to develop a love of reading!

The young footballers of Great Catesby School are on top form when they appear on TV to perform the special fund-raising song, C'mon, you Greats! But will they be such a smash hit in their return match with the Kilthorpe Killers? They are determined to sweep away their rivals and prove they can be number one on the football field too!

Off! Off! Off!Danebridge school football team - captained by goalie Chris Weston - have had a shaky season in the League, but a good Cup run. Now they face a crucial semi-final replay - a match they must win if they are to meet their arch-rivals, Shenby, in the Final. Will Chris lift the Cup? Find out what happens in this new action-packed story in the bestselling BIG soccer series - everything from a nerve-jangling penalty shootout to a shock sending-off!

It's the beginning of the season and Chris Weston, captain of Danebridge School football team, knows that his team needs goalscorers - players to put the ball in the back of the net.Two younger boys show promise - nimble Jamie, who can dribble round any opponent, and moody, overweight David (known as Pud), whose cannonball shots are unstoppable. But can Jamie learn to play as part of a team? And can Pud manage to control his temper? When both boys are picked to play for the team in a vital match - the first round of the county cup competition - Chris knows it is up to him, as captain, to help both boys make the most of their big chance...

Goalkeeper Chris Weston is stunned when he is asked to captain the Danebridge School football team. But the season gets off to a disastrous start and no-one, especially bullying Luke Bradshaw, can forget the good old days when Chris's brother Andrew and his friends led the team to victory.There's only one way for Chris to prove himself and his team. Somehow they must beat Andrew and the other Danebridge Old Boys in a very special challenge match. But as the big day draws near, Chris knows that he is facing a vital test...

'Ace save, Chris' shouted Andrew. 'You're unbeatable today!'But will he be unbeatable when he is picked to stand in for the regular school team goalkeeper in a vital cup game against Shenby School, their main rivals? For Chris is several years younger than the rest - and some of the team doubt his skills in goal...

I've heard you're a good keeper. How about producing one for me, eh?'Chris Weston, goalie and team captain of Danebridge school football team, can hardly believe it when his team - fighting relegation - make it to the semi-finals of the Cup! But how can he concentrate on his football when his absentee father makes an appearance. For Dad can't keep his mouth shut, shouting out his comments from the touchline and completely putting Chris off his game. Can Chris keep his head and focus on his football? And can Danebridge make it to the Final?

Who cares about losing when you're a millionaire?'Chris Weston, goalkeeper and school team captain, has problems. With Danebridge too close for comfort to the relegation zone, they're facing two key games in a week - and most of the players seem to have other things on their minds right now. Two million of them. For midfielder Mark Towers has just struck lucky. His family have won the Lottery! Chris would prefer a different kind of big win - on the football pitch. Can they all pull together as a team before it's too late?

Everything seems to be going great for Chris Weston. First he wins the prize of being chosen to be the mascot for the local football league club for their next F.A. Then he is picked to play in goal for his school team on the morning of the same day. But then disaster strikes and Chris can hardly walk, let alone run on to a pitch.

Andrew Weston is overjoyed when he wins a SPOT THE BALL competition and gets the chance to form a five-a-side football team and take part in a special weekend tournament. Naming his team the Vikings, Andrew is determined to play well - especially since talent scouts from his favourite club, United, will be watching the matches.But the opposition is tough. Especially Dean's Demons, who play their football hard with bruising tackles and unfair fouls. Now Andrew and his team don't only want to win the Cup - they want to beat the Demons and show them how football should REALLY be played!

It's September, and Andrew Weston can hardly wait to get back to school. For this year he is to play in the school football team, and Andrew is sure that his skills in defence will help Danebridge win every match. But Andrew and his younger brother Chris - a promising goalkeeper - are in action even sooner when they take part in an annual six-a-side football tournament. When a young winger for the Selworth team gives Andrew a few bad moments, Andrew suspects that his debut match for the school team won't be easy at all. For their first opponents are to be...Selworth!

Jeff Thompson is delighted to be picked as captain of Sanford Primary School s football team. With an enthusiastic new teacher and a team full of talent not least that of loner Gary Clarke, with his flashes of goal-scoring brilliance he is determined to lead Sandford to success. Their goal is the important League Championship- and their main rivals are Tanby, who they must first meet in a vital Cup-tie From kick-off to the final whistle, through success and disappointment, penalties and corners, to the final nail-biting matches of the season, follow the action and excitement as the young footballers of Sandford Primary School learn how to develop their skills and mould together as a real team a team who are determined to win by playing the best football possible!

The next in the successful soccer SOCCER MAD series sees Luke facing a tough challenge - can he prove that the Swifts' first-round victory in the cup wasn't simply a fluke?

ALL GOALIES ARE CRAZY...but some goalies are more crazy than others!After a series of match-losing blunders, can Sanjay prove himself the number one goalie?

Brain Draper is the butt of many jokes at school about his difficulties with reading, but Luke knows he's also a talented goal-scorer. Can Luke persuade his friend to pluck up his confidence and show everyone his skill on the pitch?Another football feast from today's best-known writer of soccer fiction.

Sam is the star goalkeeper of his soccer team, but he struggles in class because of his dyslexia. When he is made man of the match after a particularly difficult game, he is given the honour of writing a match report to read out in assembly - but the idea fills Sam with dread.