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“Readers will easily relate with the struggles of the multifaceted protagonist, who presents South Asian. The illustrations are enjoyably playful, and the fast pace and conversational tone give the work reluctant reader appeal. Online gaming, family expectations, friendship, and honesty, explored with balance, humor, and insight.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Yasmin Bandara Levels Up!

Written by Romesh Ranganathan and Susie Day
Illustrated by James Lancett
Published by Puffin

Like many 13-year-olds, Yasmin Pathman doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up.

Her parents want her to be a doctor, and expect her to focus on school—the only computer game they allow her to play is purely educational (yawn!).

Yasmin gets so good at it that the game’s company invite her to play at a national competition. Her friends, teachers, and family are mega excited about the opportunity, but Yasmin’s not!

So when her best friend Zane introduces her to a cool football game called FifPro, Yassmin’s ready for some fun! She can’t get enough of it, secretly playing matches whenever she can, hiding Zane’s spare console from her parents, and spending her lunch hours swapping stats with her friends about an anonymous FifPro superstar called The Goat.

Before long, Yasmin’s gaming talent means she’s smashing every match and is desperate to become as great, if not greater than her hero. But when she receives an exciting invite to the national FifPro tournament she faces a dilemma—it’s on the SAME day as the other competition!

Playing computer games might have taught Yasmin how to be a brilliant problem-solver, but this puzzle might be a level too far. Can she make everyone proud, beat The Goat, and convince her parents that she wants to be a professional gamer?

Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: May 2025
Available As: Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , ,

Setting: England (Birmingham)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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