Lawrence, D: Fox Swift

Fox Swift is a brilliant and engaging new football book for children. Combining a gripping, laugh-out-loud story with expert football tips and training drills from Hawthorn superstar Cyril Rioli, as well as witty cartoons, Fox Swift is the perfect read for any child whos passionate about Aussie Rules. Fox Swift is an 11-year-old football star. When his family moves from the city to the small country town of Davinal, Fox has to choose which of the towns two teams to join: the rich Dragons, which attracts all the best young footballers, or the Diggers, a struggling club that battles to field a side each week. Following a run-in with the captain of the Dragons, Fox decides to join the Diggers, and even manages to recruit a few new players -- two Sudanese refugees, the mumbling but super-tough son of a farmer, and a girl who plays in a helmet to disguise her identity -- and even a new coach. When the coach contacts AFL magician Cyril Rioli, the Aussie Rules superstar agrees to lend his football expertise to the struggling team. With Cyrils help, can the Diggers change their fortunes and win the premiership? And can Fox and his new friends prevail over the school bullies? Combining the sporting prowess of Cyril Rioli, the wickedly funny words of comedic writer David Lawrence, and the delightful drawings of Jo Gill, Fox Swift is page-turner that will have children anxiously anticipating the next instalment.