Against All Odds by Nathanael Lessore: World Book Day 2026

Against All Odds by Nathanael Lessore: World Book Day 2026Noranto knows who he is. Or at least, he thinks he does. Footballer. Hustler. One of the boys. He's got the playground game on lock and big plans for his mum's surprise birthday party this weekend. But poetry? That's just something he does quietly in his head, on the bus, between goals. Until his teacher spots his talent and encourages him to enter a creative writing competition. Noranto laughs it off. No chance: the deadline's in three days and he's

Noranto knows who he is. Or at least, he thinks he does.

Footballer. Hustler. One of the boys. He's got the playground game on lock and big plans for his mum's surprise birthday party this weekend. But poetry? That's just something he does quietly - in his head, on the bus, between goals.

Until his teacher spots his talent and encourages him to enter a creative writing competition. Noranto laughs it off. No chance: the deadline's in three days and he's already got way too much going on. His mates agree and tell him to stick to what he knows. Poetry doesn't win matches.

But the rhymes won't stop coming. And a little voice inside him keeps asking: What if this is his shot? What if he could do it all?

As the weekend unfolds and obstacles are thrown in his way, Noranto finds himself stuck between what's expected of him and who he really wants to be. Can he find the words in time - and the courage to share them - against all the odds?

A funny and authentic story about the joys and challenges of dreaming big and showing the world you don't have to fit into just one box.