Extract: Specky Magee & the Boots of Glory

Specky Magee & the Boots of Glory

Extract

Caught in the middle of a mini-stampede, Specky streamed into the school theatre with his fellow Gosmarians. Most of the students were already there. To Specky's surprise, it felt more like the start of a Grand Final match than a school assembly. Everyone was stamping their feet and chanting the Gosmore song – which had the same tune as the Carlton Blues song.

We are the migh-ty Knights
We are the grand old Gosmore Knights
We're the boys that always fight like men
We'll be the victors at the end . . .

Feeling a little overwhelmed by all the unexplained excitement, Specky wasn't sure if he should sit in the front row with his football team. He hadn't officially been welcomed as a player to the side since coming to Gosmore six weeks before. That was supposed to happen tomorrow at the first footy training session of the year. As he tried to decide what to do, he caught Tim trying to get his attention.

'Come on!' he yelled, waving Specky to join him in the front row.

'Are you sure we should be here? We haven't been named in the side yet,' Specky asked, quickly sitting beside Tim.

'Yeah, I just saw Mr Farrell outside and he said we should definitely sit here.'

'Well, he's the coach, I s'pose,' said Specky. 'But this is bizarre, isn't it? Everyone's so hyped about this Boots of Glory match.'

Behind them the rest of the school had broken out into another chant. 'Boots of Glory! Boots of Glory! Boots of Glory!' they shouted.

Principal Stevens walked up onto the stage and the chanting stopped abruptly. Specky and Tim gave each other a bewildered look. They couldn't believe that everyone had gone dead silent – as if they had been turned off by a switch. Principal Stevens approached the lectern in the middle of the stage, and in his deep voice started speaking into the microphone.

'Boys and teachers of Gosmore,' he began. 'As Principal of this great college, I'm very proud to inform you that the moment has arrived. I'm here to formally announce our intention to go into battle against our fierce and respected rival, Salisbury College.'

The theatre erupted into deafening cheers and applause. Principal Stevens waited for it to die down before continuing.

'That battle, as you well know, takes the form of a football match played every twenty-five years, a match steeped in tradition and history. Many of you would have fathers and grandfathers who played in or witnessed a Boots of Glory match.'

Specky leaned toward Tim and whispered, 'It's like some secret club going to war or something!'

'Yeah, I know. It sounds pretty full-on,' replied Tim, his eyes still fixed on Principal Stevens.

'So, I'm happy to announce that the Boots of Glory match against Salisbury College will be played in seven weeks' time.'

Once again the theatre burst into raucous cheers, whoops and whistles.

Andy Roid and the Turbine Runaways

By Felice Arena

Books for boys just got a whole lot more adventurous. Part-robot, part-boy, Andy Roid is the new 007 superhero!

Published: 26/09/2012

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143306078

RRP: $9.95

Andy Roid and the Sinister Showdown

By Felice Arena

Books for boys just got a whole lot more adventurous. Part-robot, part-boy, Andy Roid is the new 007 superhero!

Published: 26/09/2012

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143306085

RRP: $9.95

Andy Roid & the Sinister Showdown

By Felice Arena

Published: 26/09/2012

Format: Digital

ISBN: 9781742536514

Andy Roid & the Turbine Runaways

By Felice Arena

Published: 26/09/2012

Format: Digital

ISBN: 9781742536521

Andy Roid and the Camp Howl Crusades

By Felice Arena

When you're half boy, half machine, it's hard not to be a hero.

Andy is starting to enjoy his new life. But is he the only one who's hiding a secret? And can the government really protect him from a single-minded bounty hunter? Andy's parents think the safest place for him is school camp. They couldn't be more wrong!

When you're half boy, half machine, it's hard not to be a hero.

Andy is starting to enjoy his new life. But is he the only one who's hiding a secret? And can the government really protect him from a single-minded...

Published: 25/07/2012

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143306054

RRP: $9.95

Andy Roid and the Heroes of the Night

By Felice Arena

When you're half boy, half machine, it's hard not to be a hero.

Andy and Judd are on a mission, but will Andy's awesome powers be enough? Or will someone Andy cares about lose their life to protect him? It's the toughest night of Andy's life, and he'll have to summon all his courage to outwit a merciless enemy!

When you're half boy, half machine, it's hard not to be a hero.

Andy and Judd are on a mission, but will Andy's awesome powers be enough? Or will someone Andy cares about lose their life to protect him?...

Published: 25/07/2012

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143306061

RRP: $9.95

Andy Roid and the Camp Howl Crusades

By Felice Arena

As action-packed as Ben 10 or a James Bond movie, the Andy Roid books are the next big thing in series fiction for boys. Book Three in a six book series

Published: 25/07/2012

Format: Digital

ISBN: 9781742536286

Andy Roid and the Heroes of the Night

By Felice Arena

As action-packed as Ben 10 or a James Bond movie, the Andy Roid books are the next big thing in series fiction for boys. Book Four in a six book series

Published: 25/07/2012

Format: Digital

ISBN: 9781742536293

Specky Magee & The Great Footy Contest

By Felice Arena & Garry Lyon

Player Profile:

Name: Simon 'SPECKY' Magee
Age: 13
Code: Australian Rules Football
Team: Booyong High Lions, Under 14's
Position played: Star forward. Known for his SPEC-tacular marking ability and for kicking plenty of goals.

Player Profile:

Name: Simon 'SPECKY' Magee
Age: 13
Code: Australian Rules Football
Team: Booyong High Lions, Under 14's
Position played: Star forward. Known for his SPEC-tacular marking ability and...

Published: 31/03/2003

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143300618

RRP: $16.95

Specky Magee & the Season of Champions

By Felice Arena & Garry Lyon

Simon ' Specky ' Magee and his Under 14s football team, the Booyong High Lions, return to battle out the second half of their league's season. The Lions are playing well and Specky's form is looking good – perhaps good enough to win a scholarship to a prestigious sporting school. But a knee injury sees him sidelined, and suddenly his future is filled with uncertainty. Will his team make it...

Published: 05/04/2004

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143300625

RRP: $16.95

Specky Magee and a Legend in the Making

By Felice Arena & Garry Lyon

The Booyong High Bugle
Footy News!

Only last month, former Booyong High student Simon 'Specky' Magee led the Gosmore Grammar Knights to victory against our courageous Booyong Lions. But now he's back in town!

Well, we at the Bugle would like to welcome Simon home, but even his best mates don't want him on the team. And now we can't help but wonder just how 'specky-tacular' Magee really is . . . Will...

The Booyong High Bugle
Footy News!

Only last month, former Booyong High student Simon 'Specky' Magee led the Gosmore Grammar Knights to victory against our courageous Booyong Lions. But now he's back in...

Published: 03/04/2006

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143301899

RRP: $16.95

Specky Magee and the Spirit of the Game

By Felice Arena

I tell you what, they're turning it on here today, folks. They're putting on a ring-a-ding-ding contest . . . And who is that lad in the number five guernsey?

Specky can't wait to get to the country and have the chance to play grassroots football for the first time . . . against adults. But more is at stake than the outcome of just one game.

Who is Razorback Jack, the mysterious footy hero that Specky...

I tell you what, they're turning it on here today, folks. They're putting on a ring-a-ding-ding contest . . . And who is that lad in the number five guernsey?

Specky can't wait to get to the country and...

Published: 02/04/2007

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143303015

RRP: $16.95

Specky Magee & the Battle of the Young Guns

By Felice Arena & Garry Lyon

This has been an absolute battle . . . the ultimate battle of the young guns!

As Specky battles it out in the state carnival for a chance to play on the hallowed MCG turf, back at school he has a fight on his hands just to be allowed to play with his beloved Booyong Lions. And when his long-lost grandpa comes to visit, it's all-out war at home as well…

This September, Specky's loyalty to his...

This has been an absolute battle . . . the ultimate battle of the young guns!

As Specky battles it out in the state carnival for a chance to play on the hallowed MCG turf, back at school he has a fight...

Published: 28/09/2009

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143304661

RRP: $16.95

Specky Magee and the Best of Oz

By Felice Arena & Garry Lyon

Specky has been selected to represent Australia in International Rules in this last book in the bestselling series.

Published: 28/02/2011

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143304678

RRP: $16.95

Specky Magee and the Best of Oz

By Felice Arena & Garry Lyon

Published: 23/02/2011

Format: Digital

ISBN: 9781742531977

Specky Magee and the Battle of the Young Guns

By Felice Arena & Garry Lyon

Published: 28/09/2009

Format: Digital

ISBN: 9781742286686

Specky Magee Back to Back Volume 1: Specky Magee & the Great Footy

By Felice Arena & Garry Lyon

Join Simon 'Specky' Magee, the star of the Under 14s Aussie Rules Football team, the Booyong High Lions, in this collection of two fantastic Specky adventures.

Specky Magee & the great footy contest
Specky is a true champion in the making, but is he good enough to win the Great Footy Contest?

Specky magee & the season of champions
Specky magee finds out why there's more to being a champion...

Join Simon 'Specky' Magee, the star of the Under 14s Aussie Rules Football team, the Booyong High Lions, in this collection of two fantastic Specky adventures.

Specky Magee & the great footy contest...

Published: 27/10/2008

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143304050

RRP: $19.95