The Underdogs Series

By Tom Palmer

Accessible football and cricket adventures about friendship, confidence, belonging and facing fears together.

inspiring · relatable · engaging

Pageticker community rating

Average 5, from 3 readers

What is The Underdogs series by Tom Palmer about?

Developed in the mid-2020s, Tom Palmer’s Underdogs follows children finding confidence, friendship and belonging through sport. In The Fear, football-loving Azeem encourages Kian back onto the pitch after a damaging experience leaves him anxious about failure. Front Foot shifts to cricket as Azeem settles into life in England, worries about family separated in Pakistan and builds a team of new friends. Ideal for sports fans, reluctant readers and children aged 9+, particularly those needing accessible, dyslexia-friendly fiction. Includes anxiety and refugee-family themes.

Genres

Friendship/Family Sport Feelings/Wellbeing

About the author

Tom Palmer is a popular British author known for his exciting books about football, history, and adventure. He has written the Football Academy and Foul Play series, as well as stories inspired by real events like the Second World War. Tom enjoys visiting schools and inspiring children to discover the joy of reading and writing.

All the books in The Underdogs series

The Fear

by Tom Palmer

Can Kian face his football fears before they cost him his best friend?

Front Foot

by Tom Palmer

Cricket brings Azeem friendship and courage—but can his risky new team survive?

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