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The Man with the Magic Foot: A time travel football story for 9-13 yr olds
Chadmouth Town haven't won anything for 60 years, and Ches doesn't think he'll ever see the team he loves win a trophy.
But amazingly, he suddenly finds himself travelling back in time to the 1960s, just days before the biggest occasion in the club's history - their one and only FA Cup Final appearance.
He's desperate for a ticket to watch his beloved team win the Cup, but an accident the day before the final threatens to change the course of history. It's up to Ches to put things right to make sure Chadmouth are still champions.
Can Ches make it to Wembley, and has he just ruined the Crabs' chances of winning?
But amazingly, he suddenly finds himself travelling back in time to the 1960s, just days before the biggest occasion in the club's history - their one and only FA Cup Final appearance.
He's desperate for a ticket to watch his beloved team win the Cup, but an accident the day before the final threatens to change the course of history. It's up to Ches to put things right to make sure Chadmouth are still champions.
Can Ches make it to Wembley, and has he just ruined the Crabs' chances of winning?
121 pages, Paperback
Published November 29, 2021
About the author
Ian Slatter
15 books4 followersIan is the award-winning author of middle grade fiction books, including the Jellybean Detective Club and Chadmouth Town football series.
He lives in Somerset with his wife, two children and two crazy black cats and his day-job is far too boring to mention here. He’s also written for the BBC and ITV, for a spoof news website and has published fiction and non-fiction books for adults.
You can find out more about him, his books, and the books that inspired him, and get an exclusive free Jellybean Detective Club story by visiting his website ianslatter.com.
He lives in Somerset with his wife, two children and two crazy black cats and his day-job is far too boring to mention here. He’s also written for the BBC and ITV, for a spoof news website and has published fiction and non-fiction books for adults.
You can find out more about him, his books, and the books that inspired him, and get an exclusive free Jellybean Detective Club story by visiting his website ianslatter.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 19, 2021
Chester Kaye (Ches) wants to be a commentator when he grows up, so much so that he practices and pretends Chadmouth Town, the little football club that he loves, is winning the FA Cup, something they haven’t done since 1960 something. Johnny Jones was the Chadmouth Town footballer, the legendary Man with the Magic Foot, who had scored the winning goal to win the FA cup.
Ches has seen Johnny’s grave on his school trip to the graveyard and amazingly travels back in time to 1963, just a week before Chadmouth wins the FA Cup Final. He wakes up to see a lot has changed. He goes to “his” home and meets the Whittinghams, befriending Maggie who lives there now with her parents and three brothers. Here’s his chance to watch the game. But something happens before the game that may change the course of history and ruin everything. What can Ches do? How’s he going to get back home? What a delightful, fun story to read, which footfall fans of any age can enjoy!
Ches has seen Johnny’s grave on his school trip to the graveyard and amazingly travels back in time to 1963, just a week before Chadmouth wins the FA Cup Final. He wakes up to see a lot has changed. He goes to “his” home and meets the Whittinghams, befriending Maggie who lives there now with her parents and three brothers. Here’s his chance to watch the game. But something happens before the game that may change the course of history and ruin everything. What can Ches do? How’s he going to get back home? What a delightful, fun story to read, which footfall fans of any age can enjoy!
January 5, 2022
THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS
4th January 2022
TITLE: The Man with the Magic Foot
AUTHOR: Ian Slatter
Star Rating: 4
“A thrilling soccer adventure for 9 – 12 year olds. Very enjoyable!”
REVIEW
It seems that this is one of three football (soccer to the North Americans) themed books by Ian Slatter, and, I must say, it's a very enjoyable romp. Targeted at readers aged 9 to 12, it's the story of Ches who gets to go back in time and watch his football club play in the FA Cup final. What follows is a fun adventure with plenty of twists and turns - and a little football kicking too!
There were many things I enjoyed about this book. Firstly, the author knows his readership and what they want; as a result, there's plenty happening pretty much all of the time. Secondly, the author is a good writer - not always the case with sport-related novels - so the pacing is excellent and the vocabulary is accessible. Thirdly, there is a little humour sprinkled throughout which, I always feel, keeps a young reader turning the page.
To sum up, I'd very much recommend this short novel to boys (and girls) who not only enjoy playing football, but also enjoy books with strong, relatable characters and fast-paced adventure. There's plenty of drama, plenty of dilemmas to overcome, and plenty of laughs along the way. What's there not to enjoy!?
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
4th January 2022
TITLE: The Man with the Magic Foot
AUTHOR: Ian Slatter
Star Rating: 4
“A thrilling soccer adventure for 9 – 12 year olds. Very enjoyable!”
REVIEW
It seems that this is one of three football (soccer to the North Americans) themed books by Ian Slatter, and, I must say, it's a very enjoyable romp. Targeted at readers aged 9 to 12, it's the story of Ches who gets to go back in time and watch his football club play in the FA Cup final. What follows is a fun adventure with plenty of twists and turns - and a little football kicking too!
There were many things I enjoyed about this book. Firstly, the author knows his readership and what they want; as a result, there's plenty happening pretty much all of the time. Secondly, the author is a good writer - not always the case with sport-related novels - so the pacing is excellent and the vocabulary is accessible. Thirdly, there is a little humour sprinkled throughout which, I always feel, keeps a young reader turning the page.
To sum up, I'd very much recommend this short novel to boys (and girls) who not only enjoy playing football, but also enjoy books with strong, relatable characters and fast-paced adventure. There's plenty of drama, plenty of dilemmas to overcome, and plenty of laughs along the way. What's there not to enjoy!?
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
January 8, 2022
Creative and entertaining
This is a fun story about football enthusiast, Ches, who travels back in time to 1963 – one week before the last time his hometown team, Chadmouth Town, won the FA Cup.
Upon traveling back in time, Ches meets Maggie who lives with her parents and her three brothers in “his” home. By meeting up with Maggie and her family, Ches now has an opportunity to watch this momentous game, but an event occurs before the game that could throw off everything and change history. Will Ches’ actions inadvertently change history and how can he correct the situation? And how can he return to 2021?
I found the people and their ways from 1963 to be particularly interesting. For example, Maggie referred to his cell phone as a “portable telephone;” people would respond “your what?” when Ches would suggest eating five fruits and vegetables per day; Ches is referred to as “lad”; and Maggie would discuss with Ches about whether there are female astronauts in the future. It was also interesting how Maggie’s parents allowed her greater independence, such as traveling to the Science Museum in London on her own, than what is usually allowed for a young person in 2021. It was a different era indeed.
This is a very creative and enjoyable read that stokes the imagination and keeps you turning its pages. I also like that it is very wholesome as it should be for a young person. I highly recommend it.
This is a fun story about football enthusiast, Ches, who travels back in time to 1963 – one week before the last time his hometown team, Chadmouth Town, won the FA Cup.
Upon traveling back in time, Ches meets Maggie who lives with her parents and her three brothers in “his” home. By meeting up with Maggie and her family, Ches now has an opportunity to watch this momentous game, but an event occurs before the game that could throw off everything and change history. Will Ches’ actions inadvertently change history and how can he correct the situation? And how can he return to 2021?
I found the people and their ways from 1963 to be particularly interesting. For example, Maggie referred to his cell phone as a “portable telephone;” people would respond “your what?” when Ches would suggest eating five fruits and vegetables per day; Ches is referred to as “lad”; and Maggie would discuss with Ches about whether there are female astronauts in the future. It was also interesting how Maggie’s parents allowed her greater independence, such as traveling to the Science Museum in London on her own, than what is usually allowed for a young person in 2021. It was a different era indeed.
This is a very creative and enjoyable read that stokes the imagination and keeps you turning its pages. I also like that it is very wholesome as it should be for a young person. I highly recommend it.
March 31, 2022
I loved this story. Each chapter kept me engaged as the book was well written. I enjoyed the friendship between Ches and Maggie. The time travel aspect of the story was clever and as a reader, everything flowed. I think this book will excite young readers’ imaginations.
Kids need good clean stories to read and as a parent, I always read material first before my kids do. This is a great tale for both boys and girls. I highly recommend this book and I know kids will enjoy this story.
Kids need good clean stories to read and as a parent, I always read material first before my kids do. This is a great tale for both boys and girls. I highly recommend this book and I know kids will enjoy this story.
June 20, 2022
Back to the Future in football
Lovely imagination! Ches is just a normal boy who loves playing football with his friends Ravi and Sol. One day, because of two bullies, and the misunderstanding of a shopkeeper, he enters a graveyard and comes very close to the grave of his favourite footballer and that proves to be a time portal for Ches to go back in time!
There in the past, Ches meets Maggie and not only that, he even gets the chance to watch Jones play his most famous game.
Unfortunately, Ches 'changes' the past and things do not go as planned. Is Ches able to revert everything and make things go back to normal? Is all this just a dream? Is Maggie not real?
Lovely imagination and great description of the game of football. Enjoyed reading it.
Lovely imagination! Ches is just a normal boy who loves playing football with his friends Ravi and Sol. One day, because of two bullies, and the misunderstanding of a shopkeeper, he enters a graveyard and comes very close to the grave of his favourite footballer and that proves to be a time portal for Ches to go back in time!
There in the past, Ches meets Maggie and not only that, he even gets the chance to watch Jones play his most famous game.
Unfortunately, Ches 'changes' the past and things do not go as planned. Is Ches able to revert everything and make things go back to normal? Is all this just a dream? Is Maggie not real?
Lovely imagination and great description of the game of football. Enjoyed reading it.
August 31, 2022
A thrilling soccer adventure with time travel - so fun!
This is a fast paced, humorous, and engaging story with memorable characters.
I was rooting for Ches and Chadmouth the whole way!
An enjoyable book for middle graders.
This is a fast paced, humorous, and engaging story with memorable characters.
I was rooting for Ches and Chadmouth the whole way!
An enjoyable book for middle graders.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews