Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder

A young Sikh footballer reaches out across the generational divide to help a lonely old man in an uplifting story from acclaimed author Bali Rai. Bobby Bains loves football. He also loves helping other people. As a Sikh, it’s part of his religion. While helping his mum at the community food bank, Bobby meets an old man called Trevor, who seems lonely. Bobby thinks Trevor would get on well with his nana-ji, his grandad. Both love football and reggae music. But Nana-ji and Trevor have dodgy old knees and can’t run like they used to. So, Bobby hatches a plan to get them playing. They could use the exercise and perhaps Trevor won’t feel so lonely any more. Will Bobby’s plan work? It’s a big ask, but, after all, if you don’t shoot, you don’t score! Bali Rai's Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder is a touching exploration of social themes, set against the backdrop of sports and religion. The narrative, aimed at young adults, delves into the complexities of death and bereavement, while also emphasising the significance of friendship and community. For fans of Marta Kissi (Wind Riders #4), Hiba Noor Khan (How To Spaghettify Your Dog), Rebecca Westcott (All the Pieces of Me), Christopher Paul Curtis (The Journey of Little Charlie), and Benjamin Zephaniah (People Need People). HarperCollins 2024