Description
Review
Marcus has spoken for, and inspired, millions of children who are from similar backgrounds to him, helping them to see that your current situation does not have to determine where you are going. That is so so powerful. — Siya Kolisi, South African rugby captain and world cup winner
It makes perfect sense that he [Marcus] should have written a motivational self-help book for kids (with Carl Anka). Conversational enough for the reluctant reader, but actually packed full of top-flight sports psychology and no little depth, You Are a Champion: How to Be the Best You Can Be also marks the start of a book club aimed at disadvantaged kids – and WH Smith will give away a copy to the National Literacy Trust for each copy sold. ― Guardian
It’s down to earth, practical, and written with his trademark warmth and empathy. As he says: “When you believe in yourself, incredible things can happen.” Every young person should read this book. ― Daily Express
[Marcus] shares life lessons and practical advice he wishes he had read as a boy, encouraging reading, hard work, team-building, confidence and humility. Enlivened with anecdotes, diagrams and silhouettes, this is clear, sensible and inspiring for any age. ― The Times, Best Children’s Books for Summer 2021
Written with journalist Carl Anka, this is an empowering read touching on the themes of building confidence, setting goals and finding your passion. Rashford starts the book by saying it’s one he wished he had growing up, and many adults reading alongside their children will agree with this sentiment. It gives an interesting insight into Marcus Rashford’s personality – his love for puns, tendency to play ‘knock a door and run’ as a child and just why his first nickname was Shot – making it a thoroughly enjoyable read for both children and adults alike. ― Independent
a thoroughly enjoyable read for both children and adults alike. ― Irish Examiner
An invaluable read for older readers as well as young football fans, this is a wry, moving, and memorable book for finding your way in the world. ― BookTrust
There’s serious stuff here, but delivered in such an accessible manner that all children will relate to it. ― Daily Mail
About the Author
Marcus Rashford MBE is Manchester United’s iconic number 10 and an England International footballer.
During the lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marcus teamed up with the food distribution charity FareShare to cover the free school meal deficit for vulnerable children across the UK, raising in excess of 20 million pounds. Marcus successfully lobbied the British Government to u-turn policy around the free food voucher program – a campaign that has been deemed the quickest turnaround of Government policy in the history of British politics – so that 1.3 million vulnerable children continued to have access to food supplies whilst schools were closed during the pandemic.
In response to Marcus’s End Child Food Poverty campaign, the British Government committed £400 million to support vulnerable children across the UK, supporting 1.7 million children for the next 12 months.
In October 2020, he was appointed MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Marcus has committed himself to combating child poverty in the UK and his book You Are a Champion is an inspiring guide for children about reaching their full potential.
Carl Anka is a London-born journalist and broadcaster who likes his tea with milk and one sugar. He has written for BBC, Guardian, VICE, NME, GQ and BuzzFeed among other publications online and in print and specialises in writing about pop culture, video games, films and football. Currently a reporter for sports media group The Athletic, covering Manchester United, he is the host of the Talk of the Devils podcast and is scared of talking on the phone.
Along with Marcus Rashford, Carl is the co-writer of You Are a Champion: How to Be the Best You Can Be – a positive and inspiring guide for life for young readers.
