Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder

Bali Rai has now written eight young adult novels for Random House Children’s Books. His first, (un)arranged marriage, created a huge amount of interest and won many awards including the Angus Book Award and the Leicester Book of the Year. It was also shortlisted for the prestigious Brandford Boase first novel award. Rani and Sukh and The Whisper were both shortlisted for the Booktrust Teenage Prize. Bali also writes the hugly popular Soccer Squad series for younger readers. He was born in Leicester, where he still lives, writing full-time and visiting schools to talk about his books. www.balirai.co.uk

Dan grew up in leafy Chalfont St. Giles playing football outside when it wasn’t raining, and drawing the rest of the time.
In 2013 He graduated from Middlesex University with first class honours degree in illustration, and has worked as a children’s illustrator ever since.