Racism in football and families is tackled in new Middle Grade book by debut author

Debut Welsh author Cathy Jenkins has written a powerful new Middle Grade story tackling racism in sport and the wider community as well as what it takes to challenge the opinions of those you love.

Nine-year-old Jac has a hero – his dad. He drives a massive lorry, takes Jac to football at weekends and seems to know about everything. But when Jac joins a local football team with his best friend Zac, things start to get a bit weird at home. It’s not until a group of footballers come into school to give a talk about racism that Jac realises what the problem could be. After a traumatic turn of events, Jac learns of the difficulties faced by Zac’s grandparents and the Windrush Generation and becomes determined to help make a change in society, starting with his own family.

Told from Jac’s point of view, Zac and Jac is a powerful but sensitively written story about understanding and recognising racism which encourages children to challenge it.

Cathy Jenkins’ text carefully balances the sensitivities around racism, stereotypes and prejudice alongside the fun of Zac and Jac’s friendship using the relatable backdrop of a local children’s football team. This makes the story a challenging but important read for children aged 8-11 and a great tool in Key Stage 2 classrooms for introducing and discussing the topic.

Zac and Jac has already been endorsed by Show Racism the Red Card, who called it ‘a powerful and emotive story showing that through education and friendship, we have the tools to craft a better future.’

Alongside Cathy’s poignant story are several black-and-white illustrations by Jamaican-born digital artist Monique Steele, helping show Zac and Jac’s connection and the challenges they face with Jac’s father. Monique also created the cover artwork.

Cathy Jenkins says, ‘I am absolutely thrilled to be working alongside the Graffeg team on Zac and Jac. It’s especially exciting to be one of the first authors to be published by their new imprint, Cadno. Growing up in Wales, there were limited opportunities for my own two children of dual heritage to identify with role models who weren’t white or to celebrate the histories and achievements of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. This really needs to change.’

Matthew Howard, Publishing Director of Graffeg, adds, ‘Cathy’s story is one which pulls no punches. It recognises the ugly stain that racism represents, but it also deals sensitively with its ramifications among children whose world is turned upside down when those they love exhibit hate. We’re delighted to have the chance to publish this text, one which explores the complexities of family life and opens the door for conversations aplenty.’

Author Info

Cathy Jenkins is a secondary school English teacher from Swansea. She has been heavily involved in the rolling out of the Arts Council for Wales’s Cynefin project, which is working towards helping schools to develop a more diverse curriculum, and she was a lead-teacher in the first cohort of schools to undertake the project. This is her first published book.