To the outside world, the Smedleys look like any other family: Mum, Dad, son, daughter, hamster ... and a grandpa dozing in the corner. Looks can be deceiving, however, because the Smedleys have a secret ... a very BIG secret. They are actually a daredevil team of crime-solving football ninjas!

Jez Smedley can't believe his luck when a project on the theme of teamwork leads to him becoming the captain of the school's first five-a-side football team. The only problem is that Throgmorton United have no goalkeeper on the morning of their first match! However, this is almost the least of their worries when they start to notice football pitches around the town are being built on faster than they can play matches on them. No criminal is safe while the Smedleys are on the case: it's time to stop the disappearing pitch disaster!

Jez Smedley: Diary of a Football Ninja:Disappearing Pitch Disaster is part of the Reading Planet range of books for Stars (Lime) to Supernova (Red+) band. Children aged 7-11 will be inspired to love reading through the gripping stories and fascinating information books created by top authors. Reading Planet books have been carefully levelled to support children in becoming fluent and confident readers. Each book features useful notes and questions to support reading at home and develop comprehension skills.
Reading age: 9-10 years

Illustrated by: Gareth Conway