A Different Kind of Freedom: A Romani Story

A thoroughly enjoyable football-themed read set in 19th-century Sheffield. This book tells the story of Lijah –  a Romani boy living in a Traveller camp. Lijah enjoys collecting scrap with his dad and brother, travelling on the cart and listening to his dad’s stories by the fire.

Lijah reluctantly starts school and at first, he struggles with reading and faces prejudice when some of the other children call him ‘gypsy’ or ‘tramp’. However, he soon discovers a fascination for a new game called football and finds a way to join in with the other boys.

Back home, Lijah meets a local businessman called Jack Davis. Over time, Jack bonds with Lijah over his passion for football and tells him about a famous Romani player called Rab Howell. Can Lijah follow in his new hero’s footsteps while still staying true to his roots and keeping peace with his dad?

This quick and compelling read deals with big themes of heritage, family, changing times and prejudice in sport. The story provides an original new angle into the stream of football storybooks available, and it was interesting to consider the time when professional football was first becoming popular and the legacy of Sheffield in football history, as well as to learn about Rab Howell. Many young readers will relate to the difficulty Lijah encounters balancing cultural traditions with modern life, as well as the tensions between family expectations and following one’s passions.