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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, in The Life Of Riley – Unbreakable by Tom Allen, Riley Adams’ mum gets an unimaginable diagnosis and she encourages him to keep the unbreakable bond with his brothers and sisters in the beautiful game.
The Life Of Riley – Unbreakable
Bittersweet tale, The Life Of Riley – Unbreakable by Tom Allen, will captivate its target audience of nine to eleven year olds with the story of football mad Riley Adams. Approximately 46,000 children each year in the UK face the impending death of a parent, and Tom Allen’s decision to introduce this almost ‘taboo’ issue adds an authenticity to his writing and elevates his first novel to something so much more than a good yarn about footy.
Riley Adams has three passions in life: family, friends and football. Despite often finding school difficult, he finds happiness in friendships with his ‘band of brothers and sisters,’ who play for his beloved Highfield Flyers FC.
Riley and the Flyers learn to play together and focus, bringing them great moments and taking them close to glory. Rivalries form and the desire to win grows until… Riley’s world is turned upside down when his mum receives a life-changing diagnosis.
Can he really care about football again? What will happen to Mum? How will he cope with life now?
Teacher turned author Tom Allen takes readers on a gripping literary journey that involves family, friends, both boys’ and girls’ love of football, and the unthinkable reality of a parent being given a terminal diagnosis.
Allen eloquently depicts the thrills that come from playing sport, both its agonising and euphoric moments, and the transformative time that the last years of primary school are for all youngsters, and the relationship between Riley and his mum.
Tom Allen
When, in January 2023, I stepped away from teaching after 17 years, I decided to take some time to consider what to do next. That’s when I started writing – everyday. I began writing a memoir of my experiences in primary schools, but soon changed to start writing a story for children like my own, who love the drama of sport.
As a child, I loved these books, whether they were football, cricket or rugby-themed didn’t matter. My son, in particular, loved the Jamie Johnson series by Dan Freedman but was frustrated when he couldn’t find more books of a similar genre.
My experience in working with children aged 7-11 and in voluntary sports coaching meant I felt I was well-placed to communicate sporting stories to this age group.
Ultimately my book aims to entertain and engage those children who love the excitement of sport, particularly football. It celebrates the power of sport in uniting people and providing a positive focus in the toughest of times.
The book will appeal to a significant number of reluctant readers, who I know – from my experience teaching in Year 5 and Year 6 – can struggle to find books that they identify with as they grow older. In addition to this, it will sensitively raise awareness of children who lose their parents, and that despite the incredible pain this causes, a happy, successful life is achievable.
-Tom Allen
Tom Allen worked as a Primary School Teacher, mostly teaching 9–11-year-olds and has over 20 years voluntary sports coaching experience. He loves the power of sports and books and how they can inspire young people.
His friend Rich passed away recently, leaving his incredible wife and three amazing children. Parts of the story are inspired by his friend’s tragic passing, and he hopes the themes explored in his story will give strength and guide younger children who have also lost a loved one.
He resides in Bristol with his wife, two children and two cats. His other main talent is producing a fantastic impression of Chewbacca from Star Wars!
Find more from Tom Allen now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3I7s7bY
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3I77JIg
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