Keeper
Published on 5. April 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-4063-3829-4 (ISBN)
Description
The extraordinary debut novel by Carnegie Medal-winning author Mal Peet about football, magic and self-discovery. Winner of the Branford Boase Award and the Bronze Nestle Children's Book Prize.
Perfect for both football enthusiasts and fans of excellent storytelling, the award-winning first novel from Carnegie Medal-winning Mal Peet introduces legendary sports journalist Paul Faustino and the haunting tale of the world's greatest goalkeeper: the man they call El Gato,"the Cat". As Paul interviews El Gato, the World Cup stands on the table between them. In the hours that follow, El Gato tells his incredible story - how he, a poor logger's son, learns to become a World Cup-winning goalkeeper so good he is almost unbeatable. And the most remarkable part of this story is the man who teaches him: the mysterious Keeper, who haunts a football pitch at the heart of the claustrophobic rainforest...
Perfect for both football enthusiasts and fans of excellent storytelling, the award-winning first novel from Carnegie Medal-winning Mal Peet introduces legendary sports journalist Paul Faustino and the haunting tale of the world's greatest goalkeeper: the man they call El Gato,"the Cat". As Paul interviews El Gato, the World Cup stands on the table between them. In the hours that follow, El Gato tells his incredible story - how he, a poor logger's son, learns to become a World Cup-winning goalkeeper so good he is almost unbeatable. And the most remarkable part of this story is the man who teaches him: the mysterious Keeper, who haunts a football pitch at the heart of the claustrophobic rainforest...
Reviews / Votes
Physical, spiritual - Arthurian, even - this is true enchantment. * TES Teacher * Tense and atmospheric [...] refreshing original story in which footballing familiars are shot through with curious and satisfying magical realism. * The Guardian * Has all the ingredients of a great children's novel with drama, suspense and anextraordinarily moving ending...children will love it. * Daily Express * A brilliant book, thoroughly and richly entertaining. * The School Librarian * Nothing for the 12-plus age range to beat Mal Peet's now classic World Cup novel * The Daily Telegraph * The ultimate football novel ... extraordinary * Sunday Telegraph *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 12 to 14 years
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
199 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4063-3829-4 (9781406338294)
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
New editions
Person
Mal Peet's first novel, Keeper, won the Branford Boase Award and the Bronze Nestle Children's Book Prize; Tamar won the Carnegie Medal; and Exposure was the winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. A writer and illustrator, Mal produced many books for children throughout his lifetime, most of them in collaboration with his wife, Elspeth Graham.