The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan by Felice Arena
About Felice Arena
Felice Arena is one of Australia’s best-loved children’s writers. He is the author and creator of many popular and award-winning children’s books for all ages, including the acclaimed historical adventures The Boy and the Spy, Fearless Frederic and The Great Escape, the bestselling Specky Magee books and the popular Andy Roid and Sporty Kids series. For further information, visit:
A Quote from Felice Arena
“For many it’s comforting to look back at the past for answers, inspiration, and to hear from the voices of those who have come before us. The HNSA – ARA Historical Novel Prize shines a proud spotlight on those voices. I am absolutely delighted that The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan has been longlisted in the CYA category, and that the voice of a 12-year-old girl who challenges the status quo by wanting to play football in the 1940s, has been heard.”
About The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan
The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan is a moving and inspiring story set against the backdrop of the Second World War in Australia, the women’s movement and the little-known history of women’s football.
It’s 1942. The war seems a long way away to Maggie Flanagan.
Her brother is on the other side of the world flying to protect England from the enemy. But Maggie is more interested in kicking the footy and finding out who’s going to play for St Kilda this season.
But when the war comes to Australia and Maggie sees what she’s sure is a Japanese spy plane in the skies of Melbourne, it all gets very real. The Japanese attack Australia up north, raining bombs on Darwin and Broome, and American soldiers start appearing on the streets.
Worst of all, it looks like the football season will be cancelled!
When Maggie decides to stage an all-girl football game to raise money for the troops, she’s breaking all the rules. Everyone knows that girls can’t play footy! But the rules aren’t going to stop the unstoppable Flying Flanagan . . .
