A brand new red Early Reader about football and friendship from CARNEGIE MEDAL shortlisted author Phil Earle, illustrated by Jamie Littler.

Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and reading together. A red Early Reader is the next step on your reading journey.

Albert LOVES football. But he HATES the Garden of Doom next door. He's always kicking his footballs into it, and he can't go and get them back - Mr Creaky lives next door, and Albert is terrified of him.

But when he kicks his friend Errol's ball into the Garden of Doom, Albert knows that he has to be brave. Could there be more to Mr Creaky than meets the eye? Could he be a jewel thief? A wizard? A secret agent?

Albert doesn't know... but he's about to find out!

The first Early Reader story from a talented and unique voice in children's fiction. Phil Earle is a CARNEGIE MEDAL shortlisted author whose hard-hitting YA novels have been widely acclaimed.

"Neatly constructed and perfectly pitched for new readers, this is just right for encouraging young football fans to pick up a story" - The Best New Children's Books 2015

"[A] thought-provoking story with some scary moments and many amusing ones. Large print and lots of pictures make this a perfect step from picture books to novels" - Primary Times

"A brilliant book and we all loved it" - What's Good to Do