BALLER BOYS
VS
THE BULLDOZERS

Best friends Shay and Frankie, and their team AC United, are back for another football season, another year older, and eager for a win…

The duo soon realise that nothing ever stays the same, and change is a part of life whether they like it or not – both on and off the pitch.

With new team members, the threat of losing their precious home turf, and changes afoot in their family lives, can the boys work together to stay on track… and keep winning?

And, of course, who will be crowned Baller Boy this season?

For the second time in a row, Baller Boys has been nominated for the Peoples Book Prize.

In 2021, we won the Peoples Book Prize with our first book, Baller Boys: Season One.

We would really appreciate your support by voting for us again!

BALLER BOYS - BOOK 1

Baller Boys follows the adventures of Shay, Frankie and the rest of the crew as they compete to join the local football team and become a “Baller Boy”.

The series of books covers a wide range of issues children face on a day-to-day basis.

Baller Boys tells the stories of the players of the fictional under-nines football team at All Cultures United Football Club.

The book addresses issues inner-city children face both in and outside of school as well as overcoming their individual personal challenges.

The culturally diverse team are brought together and united by their love of football, their club, and how the boys live in the hope of being developed by Coach Joe and spotted by the local football legend, Coach Reece, all to receive the accolade of being a ‘Baller Boy’.

I had the most fabulous day in Liverpool with the @lfcfoundation team, @mightyRed_LFC and of course the two hundred-plus, wonderfully enthusiastic and engaging children that came to the event.

The children confidently read the book aloud to their peers, and many of them rapped some of the raps from BallerBoys Vs The Bulldozers.

The National Literacy Trust gifted every child a copy of one of my books and I was delighted to hear that many of them had started reading their book on the coach ride back to school.

Author Day 2024 at Liverpool FC - Baller Boys Books
Venessa Taylor Book Signing Liverpool FC - Baller Boys Books
Author Day at Liverpool FC - Baller Boys Books
Liverpool FC Baller Boys Books

It was my absolute pleasure to be invited by Joseph Coelho to be a part of The Bookmaker Like You Project.

The aim of the project is to celebrate authors and illustrators from underrepresented communities through a variety of festival events in partnership with Book Trust Represents.

It was an inspiring day meeting lots of children and introducing them to myself and my books to them.

I shared with everyone a book idea I’d been working on for some time and was pleasantly surprised by their honesty. Positive feedback.

My interactions with Joe, Emily from The Book Trust and the children have inspired me to keep going, so thanks, guys.

Hopefully, it will be out in the world soon.

The Bookmaker Like You Project - Baller Boys Books
Author Day Liverpool FC - Baller Boys Books
Interactive Book Event - The Bookmaker Like You Project - Baller Boys Books

It was a pleasure to be invited over to Arsenal as their guest author to be part of their Double Club 25th-Year Celebrations.

Since the historic league and FA Cup double victory in 1998, the Double Club has played a pivotal role in supporting local primary school children via a unique blend of education and football.

Part of today’s celebration was a fun interactive reading session from me introducing my book series Ballerboys to the group followed by a skill session of football at the Arsenal hub pitch.

A big thanks to Jim Sells from the National Literacy Trust and the PLPrimary stars for helping to ensure every child received a copy of my latest book Ballerboys Vs The Bulldozers.

Baller Boys - Arsenal Visit March 2024 - Baller Boys Books
Baller Boys 5-a-side - Arsenal Football Club - March 2024 - Baller Boys Books
Arsenal Visit March 2024 - Baller Boys Books
It's so refreshing to read a book that has such a diverse range of relatable characters. I love the message that if you are determined and don't let set backs pull you down, you can be successful. Each character has their own challenges but with care and support of the the team they do not let the challenges get in their way. This book will grab the attention of any football crazy young person, but will go on to help them see that kindness and understanding can make a huge difference to someone's life.
Victoria Simmons
Victoria Simmons
Deputy Head-Teacher, London
Baller Boys is a fantastic read for any young person interested in football, friendship and pursuing your dreams.

The characters are diverse and richly talented.

The story will warm your heart.
Alex Wheatle MBE All Cultures United Baller Boys
Alex Wheatle MBE
British Author