- Chapter Books
- Ages 10–13
- Contemporary
Strike
A thrilling standalone companion to Kick, following a Liverpool boy chasing a Premier League academy place until a note hidden in a new pair of boots pulls him into a fight over the workers who made them.
- Best for10–13
- FormatChapter
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
Tone
- Exciting
- Thought provoking
- Suspenseful
- Bittersweet
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Owen lives with his dad in Liverpool and dreams of becoming a professional footballer, feeling he owes it to the memory of his mum to make it. When he is offered a place at a Premier League academy, his dream seems within reach, until he begins to see an uglier side of the beautiful game. Then a note tucked inside a new pair of boots leads him to Budi and to the truth about the factory workers whose labour lies behind the sport he loves. As the internet begins to listen, Owen has to decide what kind of player, and person, he wants to be. Billed as a thrilling standalone sequel to Mitch Johnson's award-winning debut Kick, Strike carries the same combination of fast, tense storytelling and a big, humane heart, tackling exploitation, loss and the courage it takes to speak up. Timed for a World Cup summer, it is a natural next step for readers who loved Kick and a rich stimulus for talking about fairness and doing the right thing. Sourced from the publisher and pre-publication reviews.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Pitched slightly older than Kick, at confident readers of about 10-13. It carries real emotional weight, the death of Owen's mother and the theme of exploitation, so it suits children ready for a substantial, thought-provoking read.
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- Best fit · 10–13
- Read aloud · 9–12
- Independent · 10–13
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
None
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Reluctant readers
Preview before sharing if a child is sensitive to: death of parent, grief, poverty or hardship.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
3 / 5 · Mostly fine
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Football fans
- Social justice
- Class reads
- Reluctant readers
Avoid if
- Wants light cosy only
- Grieving a parent
Particularly good for children who are…
- Bereavement
- Reluctant reader
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Owen's shot at a Premier League academy is the stuff of football daydreams, and the mystery of the hidden note gives the story a real pull. Readers who loved Kick get to see the two worlds collide as Owen decides to stand up and be counted.
- Proving yourself
- The underdog winning
- Making a difference
Why parents love it
Mitch Johnson again threads a serious subject, exploitation and grief, through a genuinely gripping sports story. It handles the loss of Owen's mum with care and gives young readers a hero who learns that speaking up matters.
- Conversation starter
- Great writing
- Educational for adult too
About the author
Mitch Johnson.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
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