It's the start of an Australian summer, and a drought is raging in the bush. For strapping farm boy, Jack Riordan, swinging a cricket bat is his favourite escape from daily hardships. But what happens when an Indian family arrives in the small town of Stony Creek to begin a new life?
Suddenly, Jack is no longer the top player in the district. That honour belongs to Ajeet Sharma who quickly becomes the star of the local school.
Despite jealousies and misunderstandings, the boys must somehow work together on the field. As their journey progresses, they learn each has painful secrets that have affected their lives. What are they? And what can the boys learn from them? The answers come from the strength of human spirit.
From the author of My Life: Brett Lee comes the story of Ajeet and Jack, and the unpredictable fortunes of the Stony Creek Public School cricket team.
AGES: 10 to 12
AUTHOR: A unique educator (Master of Education---specialty: Contemporary Literacies) who has been invited across Australia and overseas (India, Botswana, New Zealand, United States) to conduct writing and storytelling workshops with school students (primary and secondary). Passionate about the power of stories to connect people, especially youngsters, and improve their well-being. Has worked with diverse groups including refugees and adolescents who've fallen through the cracks of mainstream life. In 2019, he conceived and delivered a project in which he mentored young people from a dozen countries to write and publish stories about 'Family,' and in 2023 he worked with Catholic Education Parramatta and literacy organisation, WestWords, to mentor a group of refugee young people in Western Sydney to publish a book about their lives. Raised on a 'piece of dirt' in Gunnedah, NSW, he remains staunchly loyal to the Australian bush and its people. As an award-winning television journalist with the TEN Network, he reported on several Australian cricket tours (West Indies, South Africa, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and England), and in 2010 worked with Australian fast bowler Brett Lee to write Brett Lee: My Life. Remains involved with cricket at many levels, including as a documentary producer and coach of his 13-year-old son's team. A best-selling author, James has written thirteen non-fiction adult books, and two non-fiction middle grade books. Has also worked in radio, newspapers, and online. Worked as a television program consultant (and media-trained Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and VVS Laxman). Widely travelled (preferring backpack and no itinerary) he has been a volunteer community helper in Ecuador and Ethiopia. Married to Clare, has one child, Iggy, and a dog, Roger (who doesn't read books). Spirit of the Warriors is his first book in a planned series that will use different sports to promote multicultural awareness. James's life motto is: 'There is not a single person on this planet from whom I can't learn.'
