Nice One, Smithy

This football story is told through the eyes of Felicity Parker of Hillside Primary School. Their best player, Smithy, is on crutches as a new teacher, Miss Brown, takes over Class 5. She is a former international footballer who sets about transforming the school team in order that they conquer their archrivals, the unbeaten Church Street gang. The pace is brisk and there is enough humour to keep the reader entertained to the final whistle as Smithy, reluctantly repositioned in goal as he returns to fitness, moves up the field to complete Hillside's exhibition of total football in the style of Brazil. Sheppard's roughly sketched spindle-legged characters add to the gentle humour.