AustLit

'"They kept squashing me. I thought my eyes would pop out! I thought every bone in my body would break! I thought I was dead!" Maxx Rumble has been sandwiched. He s been squashed. He s been crunched! How can he possibly get out of this one.' (Publication summary)

'Maxx Rumble's footy stories are legendary. You won t believe what happened to him when he played for the Stone Valley Saints!

'"It was the kind of bump that makes your face go one way and your eyes the other. The kind that makes your tongue hang out and flap in the breeze for a while." Maxx is having a tough day on the footy field. How can he recover from this.' (Publication summary)

'"The last bodies were being dragged off me. I would have got up and kept playing except I noticed I was a bit squashed. I felt like a rug with footy boots and a face." The Saints need Maxx to help win the game. But what can Maxx do if he s totally flat.' (Publication summary)

'"There was a crack of lightning ... The hailstones suddenly got much bigger. They were the size of watermelons!" Even the weather has turned against the Stone Valley Saints. How can Maxx guide his team through the storm.' (Publication summary)

'"'Just patch me up and let me get back out there!' I said. 'Maxx,' said Mr Lloyd, 'have you seen yourself?' He held up a mirror. I couldn t believe my eyes!" Maxx has never been so injured. He s a mess. How can he possibly help the Saints win this vital game.' (Publication summary)

'"When I staggered to my feet, my shoulder was a bit sore. I mean, it was sort of wobbly. So was the other one ... and my hips ... and my knees. In fact, every joint in my body was out of its socket. And that can hurt." Maxx has been stretched beyond all recognition. Can he still stop the terrible trio.' (Publication summary)

'"I did a quick check of my ribs, Nothing was broken. My spine seemed okay. My skull was smooth and in one piece. Then I remembered I wasn t breathing!" Is this the end for Maxx? Can he possibly keep going.' (Publication summary)

'I was about to kick the ball when someone snatched it right off my boot. Who was that? I thought. What an animal!" Can Maxx boot enough miracle goals for the Saints to finish on top of the ladder .' (Publication summary)

'" 'This is it!' said our coach. His cheeks were red and bulging. His eyes were popping. 'This is the biggest game of the year.' " The atmosphere is electric. The fans are at fever pitch. Can the Saints win the Grand Final or will they be fooled.' (Publication summary)