The Fear
Published on 11. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
72 pages
978-0-00-869570-5 (ISBN)
Description
Kian has to face his fears of footballing failure in order to support a friend in this action-packed sports story from bestselling and award-winning author Tom Palmer.
Kian's best mate Azeem is desperate for them both to join the local football team. He can't understand why Kian's reluctant as he's one of the best players on their estate.
But a bad experience with a former coach has robbed Kian of all his confidence. He wants to support his friend, but he doesn't think he can face the pressure of being part of a team again.
Can Kian overcome the Fear?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 7.
Kian's best mate Azeem is desperate for them both to join the local football team. He can't understand why Kian's reluctant as he's one of the best players on their estate.
But a bad experience with a former coach has robbed Kian of all his confidence. He wants to support his friend, but he doesn't think he can face the pressure of being part of a team again.
Can Kian overcome the Fear?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 7.
Reviews / Votes
"Speaks so honestly and realistically about the pressures of being in a team and of anxiety ... it's also a tale of friendship and the strength you get by opening up to others." - Check 'Em Out Books, blog"An absolutely brilliant book for helping young people recognise and cope with anxiety ... The Fear highlights the responsibility held by all adults who work with children, building them up and helping them understand themselves." - Scope for Imagination, blog
"Not only does [Tom Palmer] love football himself he knows how to write about it in a way that will hook youngsters into the reading habit ... With thoughtful understanding this story explores themes that are important to all children; self-esteem, friendship and resilience and the importance of considering others." - A Library Lady, blog
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Target group
Children/juvenile
Young adult
Reading Age: 7 years, Interest Age: From 9 years
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
16 b/w, illus
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight
126 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-869570-5 (9780008695705)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Complete work / Part of the work
Persons
Tom Palmer was a reluctant reader as a child and credits articles about football with getting him into reading. He is now the multi-award-winning author of many books including the acclaimed reboot of the Roy of the Rovers series and the Carnegie Medal longlisted After the War. In 2019 Tom was awarded the National Literacy Trust's Ruth Rendell Award in recognition of his significant contribution to literacy work in the UK.