About the Book
Robbie Blair is a talented young schoolboy who dreams of being a professional football player when he grows up. He possesses the necessary skills but unfortunately is also set apart from the pack by his tendency to break bones - lots of them!
When Robbie breaks his leg for the third time during an important trial he is resigned to the grim reality that his footballing dream is finally over.
But, is it over?
"We can all learn from Robbie Blair."
Joe Hart - Celtic FC
JG Nolan was born and raised in a sleepy village in Shropshire and loved writing stories and playing football as a child.
He has been a teacher for many years, working mainly with children who have had difficult beginnings in life. He strongly believes in positive thinking and feels most things are achievable if you put your mind to it.
When his football mad son, Robbie, was much younger, he kept breaking bones and was told by the doctors that he should never play football again. It was during one of his many lengthy stays visiting Robbie in the local children's hospital that the idea for 'Jump!' drifted into JG Nolan's mind.
JG Nolan began to read the exploits of famous, maverick footballers from the past, to inspire his son and give him hope. Whilst doing this, he became more and more drawn to the tales of famous Celtic legends from the 1920s, whose names are still chanted in Parkhead to this day. It soon became clear to him- his first book would have to be set in Scotland.
JG Nolan's research led him to discover the iconic, ethereal, Cathkin Park.
After meeting Scottish actor Simon Weir, who has helped preserve the park for many years, the pieces of the jigsaw fell into place and 'Jump!' was born.
When JG Nolan's son started on his long road to recovery and fitness, his determination to succeed reached the ears of famous local footballer Joe Hart, then at Manchester City. Joe very kindly sent Robbie some signed goalkeeper gloves to cheer him up during treatment. Robbie would eventually follow in Joe's footsteps and attend the same secondary school in their home town, Shrewsbury. Years later, after Joe had transferred to Celtic, he was thrilled to be asked to read 'Jump!' and offered to write the foreword. A truly serendipitous chain of events!
Carina Roberts is an award-winning artist and illustrator who loves creating characters and telling stories. Carina spent her childhood drawing, reading and befriending animals - it was in these first few years that her dream to be an illustrator was born. She's been running with it ever since!
She specialises in creating books, particularly for young readers - a lot of her inspiration comes from the wilds of Wales where she lives. She adores fiction and nonfiction alike - after working on illustrations for the National Trust in 2020 she is especially keen that her work encourages more people to go on an adventure.
Cover design (c) Sian@sergarcreative.co.uk
Cover image (c) Carina Roberts
About the Author :
JG Nolan was born and raised in a sleepy village in Shropshire and loved writing stories and playing football as a child.He has been a teacher for many years, working mainly with children who have had difficult beginnings in life. He strongly believes in positive thinking and feels most things are achievable if you put your mind to it.When his football mad son, Robbie, was much younger, he kept breaking bones and was told by the doctors that he should never play football again. It was during one of his many lengthy stays visiting Robbie in the local children's hospital that the idea for 'Jump!' drifted into JG Nolan's mind.JG Nolan began to read the exploits of famous, maverick footballers from the past, to inspire his son and give him hope. Whilst doing this, he became more and more drawn to the tales of famous Celtic legends from the 1920s, whose names are still chanted in Parkhead to this day. It soon became clear to him- his first book would have to be set in Scotland.JG Nolan's research led him to discover the iconic, ethereal, Cathkin Park.After meeting Scottish actor Simon Weir, who has helped preserve the park for many years, the pieces of the jigsaw fell into place and 'Jump!' was born.When JG Nolan's son started on his long road to recovery and fitness, his determination to succeed reached the ears of famous local footballer Joe Hart, then at Manchester City. Joe very kindly sent Robbie some signed goalkeeper gloves to cheer him up during treatment. Robbie would eventually follow in Joe's footsteps and attend the same secondary school in their home town, Shrewsbury. Years later, after Joe had transferred to Celtic, he was thrilled to be asked to read 'Jump!' and offered to write the foreword. A truly serendipitous chain of events! Carina Roberts is an award-winning artist and illustrator who loves creating characters and telling stories. Carina spent her childhood drawing, reading and befriending animals - it was in these first few years that her dream to be an illustrator was born. She's been running with it ever since!She specialises in creating books, particularly for young readers - a lot of her inspiration comes from the wilds of Wales where she lives. She adores fiction and nonfiction alike - after working on illustrations for the National Trust in 2020 she is especially keen that her work encourages more people to go on an adventure. Joe Hart joined the Hoops on a three-year deal from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2021.The goalkeeper, who has been capped 75 times for England, arrived having twice won the English Premier League during 12 years with Manchester City, where he also won the FA Cup and two League Cups. After climbing the ranks at his local club, Shrewsbury, Joe Hart signed on a permanent basis for Manchester City in the summer of 2006 at the age of 19. Loan spells at Tranmere Rovers, Blackpool and Birmingham City followed in the four years after that, before the 6'4" stopper became the Sky Blues' first choice goalkeeper ahead of Shay Given at the start of the 2010/11 English Premier League campaign.The following year, Hart played an integral role in City's first-ever EPL win - when a last gasp Sergio Aguero goal, scored on the 94th minute against QPR on the final day of the season, saw Roberto Mancini's men win 3-2 and leapfrog runners-up Manchester United on goal difference. That season, Hart conceded 45 goals in all competitions while keeping an impressive 20 shut outs at home and in Europe.In the summer of 2016, Hart spent a season-long loan away from the Etihad to Italian Serie A side Torino, before returning to England to spend a subsequent year on loan at West Ham. A permanent move to Burnley kicked off a two-year stay at Turf Moor between 2018 and 2020, before Hart moved to Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer last summer.During his time in England, Hart featured 340 times in the English Premier League and recorded 127 clean sheets. Upon putting pen to paper at Paradise, Hart said: "This is a great moment for me in my career and I am absolutely delighted to be joining a club of Celtic's stature."
Review :
Mr Andrew J Mullaney:
"You've got to read this book. It's a story that gives you hope, faith, belief and that lovely warm feeling we get in our tummy when good triumphs over adversity. A story when the good guys win with the path ahead that is one of challenge heartache and then massive determination.
Is it written for children? Yes and no. I'm 58 and loved it as I became that young lad again who always wanted to be a footballer...but this is not just a story about becoming a footballer. Change the sport, the pursuit, the occupation and it becomes one that teaches us all, that helps all of us and takes us away for a short while to a better place.
Please someone make this a film, make it a play, make it a musical but take it further as this story is one that will make people smile, laugh, cry and cheer as it did to me. Above all else it will make you feel good and leave you smiling. Thanks JG Nolan for creating this piece of magic.
Booklover:
"My very wonderful son is named after a football player, my husband is a lifelong football fan..I cannot describe myself as a fan. You don't need to be to read this book.
Robbie Blair has broken his femur - apparently a difficult bone to break - it's not the first time that he has broken a bone. Robbie dreams of being a football player but he has been told to avoid all contact sports...And then Robbie starts to dream about an old footballer who comes to him with advice..This isn't just advice, it's a plan! Is it a dream?
This is one of the most uplifting stories I have read in a long time. Robbie Blair is an inspiration. His determination, refusal to give up and his sheer hard work in the story are so empowering.
There are many things which make this book so distinctive and special. The illustrations are spectacular and perfect at conveying the emotion of the story and the particular places involved. There is a tremendous sense of place. Based in Clydebank and Glasgow the book is full of accents, local history, old football grounds and shipbuilding yards..it is threaded through with the unique lives and social geography of people living in the area old and young. I loved the wonderful relationship between Robbie and the elderly Fred who he regularly visits- both having so much to give to each other.
Although a middle grade book this has so much to offer so many readers. It is empowering and inspiring and totally uplifting. It would be a wonderful gift for young aspiring footballers and I can imagine it inspiriting a wonderful conversation between grandparents and their grandchildren. The story which inspired this book is equally wonderful and there is even a foreword by Joe Hart. This is for everyone who has a dream!
