Billy's no kid - he's eighty today. He's enjoying watching the boys in the
park knock a football around and this afternoon he'll be cheering on his team,
Chelsea, as he has done all his life. In 1939 Billy was picked for Chelsea. Not
quite nineteen, and his dreams had come true: 'Billy! Billy the Kid!' they
shouted as he scored goal after goal. Surely life could get no better. But in
1939 too, the Second World War began and Billy's life was never to be the same
again. Through the story of 'Billy the Kid', Michael Morpurgo reaches across
the generations and with Michael Foreman's nostalgically vivid illustrations,
creates a life with a past that will be moving and inspiring for young and old
alike

Review

'a thrilling and moving story about a Chelsea footballer who gets caught up in
the ravages of the Second World War, with the focus on the Beautiful Game as a
common bond that can link nations and generations.' Foreman's shimmering
watercolours and line, so agile and expressive, are a perfect match for
Morpurgo's assured and memorable narrative. This is a book that will be
treasured by any child or teacher learning about the Second World War.' TES

'It's wonderful!' Kate Agnew

'Michael Morpurgo, whose command of his material is absolute, told with all
the author's open-hearted clarity, and richly illustrated by Michael Foreman.'
Guardian

'A story that combines football and war. It is a lot like an afternoon at
Stamford Bridge, and ideal for football fans aged eight and over.' Daily
Telegraph 'If you just love good stories, stunning pictures and beautiful
books, you'll want this book for your own.' Young Writer. --This text refers to
an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover
`I was faster than all the kids twice my age and somehow I could always make a
football d whatever I wanted it to. It just came easy to me, I don't know why,
but it did.'

The only thing Billy every wanted to do was to play for Chelsea. His dream
came true when he was picked for the team - but that was 1939, and the Second
World War began, and then Billy's life. Like everyone else's, was changed for
ever.

Billy's no kid now - he's eighty today. But he's got memories, such
memories... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition."