Pete Kalu is a 2024 winner of the Society of Authors Travelling Scholarship Award. He has previously won the BBC/Contact Dangerous Comedy Award and The Voice / Marcus Garvey Essay Award. He received his PhD in Creative Writing from Lancaster University in 2019. His essays can be found scattered in publications including Encounters with James Baldwin (Supernova Books 2024) and academic journals. His most recent short stories have been published by Peepal Tree. He is a Writers Mosaic alumnus and was writer in residence at University of West Indies, Trinidad Campus. He is a Reading Fellow of Royal Literary Fund

`This is a book full to the brim with the joy, heartache and passion for the beautiful game. Along the way it deals with racism, disability, bullying, jealousy, young love, family life and friendship - all without a single patronising or forced word from beginning to end. It is written in beautiful clear prose and tells a story that every lover of football and life will instantly understand' ~ Melvin Burges; `YA novels featuring a protagonist from a "culturally diverse" space are rare. Pete Kalu's, The Silent Striker in which Marcus, a gifted footballer, confronts and overcomes many of the challenges of young people his age, is a welcome addition to British writing in this genre. The Silent Striker is a strong inspirational story about human aspiration, overcoming and achievement' ~ Jacob Ross, author; `Touching, funny and well tackled!'~ Dr Muli Amaye, novelist; `A richly compelling, emotionally resonant tale of courage" ~ Melanie Amri, award-winning author; `I have never understood the bigotry that has existed against deafness so I welcome a story that discusses it alongside cultural identity in a voice that is clear and understanding. This is a book that needs to be sat on every school library shelf as well as a role model of achievement. Well done Kalu' ~ SuAndi, OBE; `A compelling story about a boy losing his hearing. Pete Kalu is a wise and sensitive storyteller' ~ Rajeev Balasubramanyam, author

Pete Kalu is a 2024 winner of the Society of Authors Travelling Scholarship Award. He has previously won the BBC/Contact Dangerous Comedy Award and The Voice / Marcus Garvey Essay Award. He received his PhD in Creative Writing from Lancaster University in 2019. His essays can be found scattered in publications including Encounters with James Baldwin (Supernova Books 2024) and academic journals. His most recent short stories have been published by Peepal Tree. He is a Writers Mosaic alumnus and was writer in residence at University of West Indies, Trinidad Campus. He is a Reading Fellow of Royal Literary Fund

`This is a book full to the brim with the joy, heartache and passion for the beautiful game. Along the way it deals with racism, disability, bullying, jealousy, young love, family life and friendship - all without a single patronising or forced word from beginning to end. It is written in beautiful clear prose and tells a story that every lover of football and life will instantly understand' ~ Melvin Burges; `YA novels featuring a protagonist from a "culturally diverse" space are rare. Pete Kalu's, The Silent Striker in which Marcus, a gifted footballer, confronts and overcomes many of the challenges of young people his age, is a welcome addition to British writing in this genre. The Silent Striker is a strong inspirational story about human aspiration, overcoming and achievement' ~ Jacob Ross, author; `Touching, funny and well tackled!'~ Dr Muli Amaye, novelist; `A richly compelling, emotionally resonant tale of courage" ~ Melanie Amri, award-winning author; `I have never understood the bigotry that has existed against deafness so I welcome a story that discusses it alongside cultural identity in a voice that is clear and understanding. This is a book that needs to be sat on every school library shelf as well as a role model of achievement. Well done Kalu' ~ SuAndi, OBE; `A compelling story about a boy losing his hearing. Pete Kalu is a wise and sensitive storyteller' ~ Rajeev Balasubramanyam, author