Bobby Bains Ain’t Playing

Author: Bali Rai

Interest age: from c 9 years

Published on 7 May 2026 by HarperCollins Publishers (Barrington Stoke Ltd) in the United Kingdom.

Paperback | 96 pages, 14 b/w, illus
130 x 197 x 10 | 170g

When the girls are banned from the five-a-side tournament, young Sikh footballer Bobby Bains rallies his teammates to make a stand in this uplifting tale of solidarity from Bali Rai.

Football-mad Bobby and his friend Maisie are excited to hear about a new five-a-side tournament – especially as it’s happening on Diwali, or Bandi Chhor Divas as Sikhs call it!

After getting their teams together, however, Maisie is told she’s not allowed to take part. Hers is the only girls’ side to have entered and they’re not allowed to play against the boys. How unfair is that?

Bobby can’t believe it, and he comes up with a plan to make a stand. But will he be able to convince anyone to join him?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.