Dick, Kerr Girls: The Perfect Shot by Eve Ainsworth, Published by UCLan Publishing

THERE are a great number of fascinating aspects of history that are not taught to us in schools and so it is always wonderful to see a writer take on this challenge and present that information along with a story, particularly in books for children and young people.

Eve Ainsworth’s series is based on the true story of The Dick, Kerr ladies football team from Preston, England. The group was started at the beginning of the First World War by young women working in a Dick, Kerr & Co factory.

The goal of the club was to raise morale and to raise money for injured servicemen. The first book focused on this time, the origins and development of their team and the joy and camaraderie the players found through it.

As women playing football they faced some opposition as at the time this wasn’t considered an activity for respectable girls to take part in, but their case was helped by their clear skills and the fact they helping in the war effort.

The second book in the series, and the latest addition, The Perfect Shot, takes place in 1918 as the war comes to an end with doubts over the future of the team. With men returning home and some sense of normality returning there are those that feel women are no longer needed to do the jobs they left behind.

However, just as the girls’ skill and experience has grown so has their determination to do more and better.

The story is told from the perspective of Freddie, the older brother of one of the players, Hettie, who has returned home from fighting. Freddie’s mind is still stuck in that horrific place – stuck with a mistake that may well haunt him forever.

As a way to relax and in the hopes of finding himself again he begins to come along to the games and, though it hurts to not be able to casually play and practice with his sisters, due to a leg injury he finds a true sense of joy in attending.

With his new camera he takes pictures of the team at their games and gets to know them all, building strong and much needed friendships and finding a spark of passion in photography.

Despite his love of taking photos and going along to games Freddie doesn’t really believe that anything could come of it. His well-meaning father attempts to help him in a job, one that is not too taxing with his wounds but that would earn him enough money and a stable path.

This seems only option until he gets to know new player Jessie, who suggests he join the team on their upcoming international tour, and photograph them.

The Perfect Shot has Freddie as a deeply likeable main character for his relatable fears and anxiety around the experiences of his past and the risks of his future. With a writing style that makes it easy to pick up and impossible to put down, you are brought into a world of friendship, inspiration and of course football.