Doncaster Book Award - Read Reviews

Doncaster: Discover the Spirit

Boys United
by Tom Palmer

So far we have received 48 reviews of Boys United. You can read them below.

Adam from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

This book is about an 11 year old boy called Jake who loves
football. He really wanted to play for United but was worried
because he thought he was too small. His Dad takes Jake to the
library to look up footballers who were small. His Dad tells
him that even though they were small they still made it. The
coach Steve can only choose two players, will hw choose Jake,
Will or Yunis. You have to read it to see if Jake's dream can
come true.

Marks out of 10: 9

Kyle from Year 11, Ridgewood School:

I don't really have much view of these. It's just an average
football story in my opinion, but one for younger children. I
do think that younger children will prefer this book,
particularly boys. But girls will still enjoy it too. It's
basically about Jake, a boy who dreams of being a professional
footballer but is worried about his size. Overall, not too bad
but not great either.

Marks out of 10: 5

lauren from Year 11, Ridgewood School:

I thought that the book was good and easy to understand as i
love football and i would recommend it to others.
9/10

Marks out of 10: 9

Omar from Year 6, St Peter's Catholic Primary School:

There is a boy called Jake who loves to play football but
there's one problem Jake thinks hes too small so Jake's dad
takes him to the library and shows him all the football players
that were small and were successful even though everyone said
they'd never make it.Jake enters a competition but only two
people can win.Jake's dad has confidence in him but Jake
doesn't have faith in himself.will Jake get through read the
book to find out.

Marks out of 10: 9

Caitlin from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:

This book is good for children who enjoy football stories. My
favourite character was Yunis because he was a great footballer
and he did not give up.
I disliked this book because it did not interest me because it
was about football, otherwise it was a great book. I give it
5/10.

Marks out of 10: 5

Abigail from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

This book is about an 11 year old boy who dreams of being a
professional footballer. I like this book because the boy is
the same age as me and I love football too. There was nothing
I disliked about this book and I would recommend it to anyone
who loves sport and football.

Marks out of 10: 8

lauryn from Year 6, St Peter's Catholic Primary School:

This book is about a boy who is 11 years old. He loves football
and hopes to be a professional footballer one day. The only
thing that worries him is his size because he is quite small
for his age. Sometimes he worries about what might happen if he
is to small to be a footballer. One day his dad takes him to
the library so they can up footballers. The books say you don't
have to be a persific size you just have to be a good team
player.
To find out more read the book. p.s.This book is not just for
boys girls will like it to.

Marks out of 10: 9

franklyn from Year 6, Sunnyfields Primary School:

Jake met Yunis and Jake supplyed Yunis 3 times and went on to
score himself in the trial.But as he goes to the united under
12s and there is a bully named Ryan and Ryans Mum is furious
with him if he makes a mistake. But it also tells you about
Jakes highschool life.In the end Jake plays agaist city and for
once he left his city top at home. He yet again supplyed Yunis
with 3 goals but for once Ryan is passing to Jake.This time
instead of shooting Jake passed it to Ryan and Ryan belted it
home

Marks out of 10: 10

Abigail from Year 6, Hatchell Wood Primary School:

I loved this book. It looks likea boys book, but actually it
seems to be half and half between a boys and a girls book. I
rate this book a 9 because, Ithink it is aimed at all ages. It
has alot of descriptive text and parts of it is funny.

Abigail,Yr 6

Marks out of 10: 9

REECE from Year 5, Balby Street Primary School:

I loved this book it was my best by a mile i like football
thats why i like it its awesome, its COOL
!COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
Please write a review for this book if you do thank you
if you like another book best make sure this is one of your
best books.

Marks out of 10: 10

jake from Year 6, Hexthorpe Primary School:

Football Acadamy is my favourite book because it is very
intresting and good to read. The main charecter is called
jake.He plays for united but he supports city. He has a friend
called unis. He thinks he is to small to play football. He had
to go to his football macth in his school uniform and then he
gets changed in the changing rooms at the football macth. The
best bit was when he won the cup for united.

Marks out of 10: 9

Hayley - Jade from Year 8, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

There is a boy called Jake, who loves to play football but
there's one problem ,Jake thinks hes too small so Jake's dad
takes him to the library and shows him all the football players
that were small and were successful even though everyone said
they'd never make it.Jake enters a competition but only two
people can win.Jake's dad has confidence in him but Jake
doesn't have faith in himself.Will Jake get through read the
book to find out. I would recomend his book to people who love
football and like an easy read. My favourite character was
Tom's dad because he believed in Tom and gave him courage.

Marks out of 10: 7

Joshua from Year 6, Sunnyfields Primary School:

I thought this book was a really good book and Tom Palmer seems
a really good author. I would read the book again I liked it in
particular because he played for man u under-twelves but he
supported city in the end.

Marks out of 10: 9

will from Year 5, Owston Primary School:

I would recommened this book to football fans around the world
because it was tense,fun and exiting. it is a very good book if
you are a manchester city or united because it is a clash
between a boy and he had to choose between a club that he could
play for or the team he has supported.

Marks out of 10: 10

charlie from Year 6, Adwick Park Junior School:

Boys United was a very well writen book. With lots of football
in it.

Marks out of 10: 10

Tyler from Year 5, Owston Primary School:

This book is fanatastic if you are a man.u fan or a man.c fan.

Marks out of 10: 10

Thomas from Year 8, Ridgewood School:

I thought that this book was far too easy and that most of the
pages were full of illistrations to fill in gaps. Altough some
presented the stroy over a lot, it would be better off as a
comic book.

Marks out of 10: 4

Tammy from Year 6, Owston Primary School:

I loved this book and if you like football then you will like
this book. I enjoyed this book indeed and i read it all on one
night and i was tied that morning i loved this book so much i
would rate it out of 1000 i would give it 1000 out of 1000.

Marks out of 10: 10

Tammy from Year 6, Owston Primary School:

I loved this book and if you like football then you will like
this book. I enjoyed this book indeed and i read it all on one
night and i was tired that morning i loved this book so much i
would rate it out of 1000 i would give it 1000 out of 1000.

Marks out of 10: 10

Sophie from Year 8, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

This book by Tom Palmer is a great book for anyone even if they
don't like football, also the book isn't just for boys (Like it
says in the title) At first you feel sorry for Jake because he
tries to be a part of his favourite team but they all say he is
too small so he can't be on the team. He gives up hope of
playing for Manchester United until he went to the library. At
first Jake thought he was getting books for the new school year
but his father had something else in mind. He took him to the
sports section and got out a book with a whole lot of pictures
in and showed him that they were small. This gives Jake hope
and he starts to train really hard. I would recommend this
book to anyone and it is suitable even for little children. My
favoutite character is Yunis because when they first meet up he
is a bit funny.

Marks out of 10: 8

sarah from Year 6, Hatchell Wood Primary School:

I give this This book a 7 out of 10 because it is all about
football and more for boys. As I am not keen on this sport it
wasn't my favourite book,i'm sure lots of boys will like it
though.It has lots of describtion which some of the other books
don't have.

Sarah xxxx

Marks out of 10: 7

ryan from Year 7, De Warenne Academy:

it was verry good and it made me laugh and i loved the book
becauise it was about football...

Marks out of 10: 6

Joe from Year 6, St Peter's Catholic Primary School:

I enjoyed boys united quite alot.It wasnt a book i couldnt put
down but i looked forward to reading it on a night time before
bed.
I recomend it for the 8 years old to 13 years old.
If your a fan of football read it trust me its good.

Marks out of 10: 8

Callum from Year 8, Ridgewood School:

This book was terrible the ending was so quick it didnt seem
like an ending at all. This book has little discription and all
together it is a terrible book.

Marks out of 10: 2

Callum from Year 6, Montagu School, Mexborough:

This was the first book i have ever read by Tom Palmer but if
the others are like these I will never read them. I wanted to
get this book over and done with so i carried on reading but i
did not enjoy. If you like football books then be my guest but
i would have another.

Marks out of 10: 1

Joshua V from Year 5, Bentley High Street Primary School:

I thought the boys united was really cool because i like
football$$

Marks out of 10: 10

Joshua V from Year 5, Bentley High Street Primary School:

I thought that the book gives u a good picture in your mind
about the story but the author(Tom Palmer) could of put a bit
more information into the story

Marks out of 10: 10

connor from Year 7, De Warenne Academy:

i thought this book was really good and i would suggest it to
any one between the age of 11 and 15 i don't really like
football but this book really encourged me to start likeing
football again so again well done tom!!!!

Marks out of 10: 9

josh from Year 8, De Warenne Academy:

THIS BOOK IS VERY INTRESTING AND ADDICTIVE. I THINK THE
STORYLINE IS GOOD AND THE RELISM OF THE FOOTBALL ACEDMY AND
GAMES ARE EPIC !!!!!!!!! IT WAS SO GOOOOOOOD I READ IT IN UNDER
2HR AND DIDN'T PUT IT DOWN ONCE !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 10/10

Marks out of 10: 10

cutis from Year 7, De Warenne Academy:

I thought this book was very good from my opinion

Marks out of 10: 9

Vicki from Year 10, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

This book is all about a boy called Jake who wants to be a
famous footballer, but he worries about whether he is too
small. Even though he supports city he has been trying out to
get into other football teams and they have always said no
because he is too small. Then finally United accept him onto
the team and he is overjoyed.
I thought that in this story his dad was really kind to Jake,
whenever Jake was nervous or unhappy his dad was always there
for him which I think was sweet. This book is not what I would
normally read but it was ok, and I would say that it was a
quick read and not very challenging. I would recommend it
though as even though I dont like football, I still thought
that this book was alright. I gave this book a 6 because it was
not what I would normally read, and it was a bit too easy for
me. Overall though a good book.

Marks out of 10: 6

Sean from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

I think this book is a really good book. It has a lot of
football related things and is a good book for people that like
football!

Marks out of 10: 10

Macauley from Year 5, Owston Primary School:

there has been no better book I`ve ever had. every single
footballer will like it. man city or united fan will definitely
like it.

Marks out of 10: 10

dean from Year 6, Edenthorpe Hall Primary School:

i love this book because i was a very good book joking my
friend said i was good so i think it is good

lol lol lol

Marks out of 10: 10

Kyle from Year 6, Edlington Victoria Primary School:

THIS BOOK IS ACE

i hope the author means SHEFFIELD UNITED

KYLE

Marks out of 10: 10

Maisie from Year 7, Ridgewood School:

This book is good. It is about a boy called Jake and like many
boys he is fanatical about football. He's also very good at it,
so his dream of one day becoming a professional player is
genuinely realisable and Jake wants nothing more. But he is
worried about his height and that he is too small to be a
footballer. But he found out he wasn't to small too play
football when he was one of the 4 people that passed the trial
at United's famous academy for young players.

Marks out of 10: 9

Andrew from Year 9, Danum School Technology College:

I didn't enjoy reading this book, I found it wasn't a book for
a person of my age group or higher. I beleive the book is more
suitable for children in primary school who love football
mainly boys. Boys United is simply about a boy, Jake, who
dreams of being a professional footballer but is worried about
his height his dad tells him that he is too small to play
football. For Jake to succeed he needed confidence and
confidence he was given,
I rate this book 4 out of 10 for its story line. It was about
an average boy who joins a average football team who worries
about his height.

Marks out of 10: 4

from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:

Boys United was a good book because it was all about foot ball
and jake was a good charecter and his dad was helping he to get
good at football.
I got 2 more pages to the end of the book.

I hope you can get to read the book.

I will read indian summer

Marks out of 10: 10

Charlie from Year 6, Sunnyfields Primary School:

There's a boy called Jake who want to be a pro football play .
He is scared because he thinks his height will effect his
chance of being in the team.The day of the try-out he
scores.He just wants to be part of the team.
This is a brill book!

Marks out of 10: 8

Caitlin from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

Boy's united is about this boy called Jake who loves to play
football. his dream is to be a professional footballer. He
was really small, so he worried a lot but in the end he was ok.

Marks out of 10: 7

Holly from Year 6, Tranmoor Primary School:

I absolutrly hated this book. It was far too boyish, I don't
know why I even put it on in the first place. This book suits
boys. If you're a girl, please don't pick up this book because
when you put it down you'll be sick instantly. This book isn't
much. I wasn't so keen.

Marks out of 10: 2

Matthew from Year 6, Hatchell Wood Primary School:

football acadamy is an ok book but i believe it it is also
aimed for younger children. it gets a bit boring in some places
but mainly an ok book. unlike some books you can understand it
still. One of the things missing is the excitement. I know it's
a book not made for excitement but still. I believe about year
7 is the max age but do not advise year 8+ to read it. Overall
it's an ok book that's why i rate it 7/10

Marks out of 10: 7

Jasmine from Year 10, Ridgewood School:

The reason i have only gave this book a 7 is because it took
ages for me to get into it and i feel that in my opinion the
book could have done with more description and emotions to
really grab my attention.
Overall i would recommend it to children in year 7- year 9

Marks out of 10: 7

Natalie from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:

I didn't enjoy this book because I do not particularly enjoy
football so I didn't unerstand some of the language.
The book is about Jake who has been told he is too small to
play football. When he has a trial for United, he gets accepted
and makes a friend called Yunis. They get praised for their
teamwork by the manager Steve but when Ryan discovers Jake has
a City shirt in his bag and laughs at him, making his life a
misery. This is because Ryan's best friend left the academy
last year and Jake has got his place but will they finally
become friends?

Marks out of 10: 3

Holly from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:

This is a good book but i did not understand some of the text
in it. Also this book was about a young boy who dreamed of
being a professinal footballer but hit a few bumps on the road
because some players in the team was quite mean to Jake. Jake
finally succeeds to become a great footballer eventhough he is
only 11 years old.My favourite character was Jake because he
never gave up on his only dream.I disliked the book because it
was not a book that girls to relate to which is not paticulary
very good.I would recommened this book to boys who love
football. It is a good book though thats why I gave it a 7/10.

Marks out of 10: 7

hollie from Year 6, Hatfield Woodhouse Primary School:

i think book is cool i hope lot more pepole read

Marks out of 10: 10

Lucy from Year 6, Hatchell Wood Primary School:

WOW!
I really didn't think that I would like this book but I really
did. By looking at the front cover and the title I thought that
it would be a book that was definetly for boys only but when I
read it it changed my mind. I realised that this book would be
ok for a girl to read.

This book is about a boy called Jake Oldfield who supports city
football team. In the past he has tried to get into many
different football teams but he has never succeeded. When he
finally gets in with United's football team he doesn't know
whether to be pleased or not as United is City's worst enemy.
Jake makes plenty of friends but when the team captain, Ryan,
finds out that Jake supports City then he starts to give Jake
some troubles. Will this prove to be a problem for Jake? Read
the book and find out for yourself!
Enjoy the book!

Marks out of 10: 9

from Year 6, Owston Primary School:

I would deffernetly recomend this book to the boys because it
is about football I thougt this book was good

Marks out of 10: 9