The story of Walter Tull, premier league football player and the first black officer in the Army in the First World War.

This is the beautifully told true story of a man who battled against prejudice in more ways than one and came out on top. Set at the turn of the century, Tully is an orphan who is sent to a children’s home where he is determined to look after his little brother. Despite his poverty he discovers a talent for football which turns him into one of the biggest stars of the day. But poverty is not the only issue Tully must overcome, because Tully and his little brother are black, when black footballers were a rarity. Tully must constantly fight for the respect he deserves.

Then war breaks out. The qualities which made Tully a star footballer are what make him an excellent soldier and leader. So good, in fact, that the rules on black officers are changed especially for him.

Despite being a book for struggling readers this book is good enough to use with any class. I recently used it with a Year 9 mixed ability group working on War Poetry. The description of the front line at the Somme is well written, moving and very accessible. This book covers a multitude of issues in a way that allows all the children to empathise with the main character. It is obviously boy friendly with its themes of war and football but it also appeals to the girls who quickly warm to Tully and his little brother and their struggles.

Because it is short and easy to read it gets its message across swiftly and can then be used to facilitate discussion on not only the First World War but also issues of poverty and racism, both at the turn of the century and today.

A wonderful book.