Kick

A brilliant debut. ― John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

A dazzling story of family, fate and football and one game-changing friendship. ― Peter Bunzl, author of The Cogheart Adventures

A fantastically original debut that champions hope, dogged optimism in the face of adversity, and friendship ― M. G. Leonard, author of Beetle Boy

skillfully written and perfectly paced. Mitch Johnston has produced a fantastically original debut that champions hope, dogged optimism in the face of adversity, and friendship. ― M.G. Leonard, author of Beetle Boy

A fast-paced, compelling read about so much more than the beautiful game. It’s about the cost of friendship, about having to make agonisingly difficult choices and about keeping hope alive while life delivers some hard blows ― Toppsta reader review

Mitch Johnson studied English Literature with Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. Mitch now works as a bookseller at Waterstones, Norwich, and writes in his spare time. Kick, Mitch’s debut novel, won the 2018 Branford Boase Award, as well as garnering shortlistings for numerous regional awards including the Sheffield Children’s Book Award and the Teach Primary Book Awards. Mitch loves reading and, like Budi, is a big football fan (although his chances of turning professional are considerably slimmer).