Review - Me and Aaron Ramsey by Manon Steffan Ros, cover art by, published by Firefly.
I absolutely devoured Manon Steffan Ros' The Blue Book of Nebo, it was so powerful and stayed with me long after reading. So I was really excited to hear there was a new middle grade offering on its way.
Football is big in Sam's neighbourhood. There's 5-aside dads, kick abouts in the park, kids' teams and tournaments and when Wales play the whole community gets together to watch at the local club.
So, when Sam's Dad is scouted for a local club, it's big news. His dad feels like things are on the up and he's finally on the cusp of living his dream. Sam meanwhile is reveling in the status and attention having a footballer dad is bringing amongst his peers. And life at home feels more relaxed and positive than it has for a while.
But when a terrible accident happens, life descends into a dark place for them. With his football career in tatters and mobility difficulties at least temporarily, Sam's dad is depressed, Sam himself is troubled by worries and the mood of the whole household turns. And then there's the previously unspoken family secret which raises its head to make everything worse...or so it seems at first.
Because, Sam's dad can't read.
And yet, it's eventually this, some very supportive family and friends and a big match that become the key to his recovery. And it's football, Aaron Ramsey and the power of a good friend that is key to Sam's.
This book feels so necessary and touches on so many relevant and often hidden, insidious or unseen issues - to name just a few illiteracy, mental health and masculine expectations (the scene between Sam and his best mate tentatively confessing their anxieties and making a pact to talk to each other is such a moving and important one. I want every boy to read it.)
I really loved too that despite some big themes, at No point does the book veer into melodrama or the 'happily ever after' (indeed, I thought the ending was spot on and very much matched the reality of the rest of the book in its 'alright for now and that's good enough for us' tone) and it feels SO relatable. These feel like characters kids will read and see themselves, their community, their friends and families in.
The characters and their relationships with each other are so well drawn (as you'd expect if you've read Manon Steffan Ros previously). The tension when there's arguments at home, the celebration and joy at goals and games, the worry and the fronts we put up, the way our idols can spur us on despite never having met us, the way sport can unite people...
It all comes tightly together to produce a really hopeful, realistic, accessible and readable book (it feels perfect for those who like Barrington Stoke-style short read, or those kids who aren't interested in reading but do love football!). We're always getting asked for 'football books' for young readers in work and this is such a brilliant one - I can't wait to recommend it!
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