Billy has had enough of his classmates treating him differently. But then Mia arrives and announces a school visit from her uncle: a famous footballer. Maybe being a star footballer in front of his classmates will help Billy prove to his class that he can be just like them. But when even the famous footballer turns out to be just as bad as the school bullies, Billy begins to realise that perhaps he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone but himself.
Raz Beri is an inspiring and heartwarming story that captures the resilience of two teenagers, Billy and Mia, both of whom have cerebral palsy. The story follows the challenges they face at school, particularly as they encounter bullying from their peers and of a visiting football star, Danny Cash. The book shines in its portrayal of Billy and Mia’s growing friendship, which becomes a source of strength and empowerment for both characters.
The arrival of Danny Cash, initially a source of excitement for everyone at Billy’s school, turns out to be a pivotal moment in the story. Instead of being a hero, Danny’s dismissive and insensitive treatment of Billy highlights the painful prejudice that people with disabilities often face.
A true strength of the book lies in how Billy and Mia confront their bullies, showing that courage can overcome adversity.
Raz Beri is a powerful read for young adults, offering a strong message about the importance of standing up for yourself. Recommended for KS3 and beyond.
review
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
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Curriculum links (if relevant)
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