Mum of an 11-year-old
As a mum, I found The Rebound to be a warm, funny and surprisingly thoughtful read. Fiona Harris captures the ups and downs of family life, friendships and sport with a light touch that makes the story accessible while still exploring meaningful themes. What I particularly enjoyed was the way the characters grow through setbacks and learn that success isn’t always about winning.
The humour is genuine and relatable, and the sporting backdrop gives the story plenty of energy. Harris has a knack for creating characters who feel real, complete with flaws, insecurities and moments of courage. The book also opens the door to conversations about resilience, teamwork and self-belief, making it a great choice for families to read and discuss together.
What stood out most to me was the positive message that people can bounce back from disappointment. It’s a story that reminds readers that mistakes and losses are part of life, and that growth often comes from the challenges we face. I would happily recommend The Rebound to middle-grade readers and their parents.
11-year-old Daughter
I really liked The Rebound because it made me feel the same way Ted Lasso does sometimes. It’s about sport, but it’s also about people learning to believe in themselves and helping each other. I love stories where characters aren’t perfect and have to work through problems, and that’s what happens in this book.
The funniest parts made me laugh out loud, and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next. The sports scenes were exciting, but my favourite parts were when the characters encouraged each other and learned from their mistakes. It reminded me of how Ted Lasso always says that being a good teammate and a good person matters as much as winning.
I also liked that the characters felt real. Sometimes they got things wrong, but they kept trying. That made me want to cheer for them. If you like stories about teamwork, friendship, determination and lots of heart, I think you’ll enjoy this book.
Rebound is available to purchase now through Allen & Unwin.
https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Fiona-Harris-Rebound-9781761182303