Marcus Rashford Named FutureBook Person of the Year

Marcus Rashford MBE has been named FutureBook Person of the Year, and is the fourth person to receive this award.

UK national treasure and England footballer has been named FutureBook Person of the Year by publisher Sharmaine Lovegrove, writer Kit de Waal and managing director of Booksellers Association, Meryl Halls.

Rashford’s work to promote children’s literacy and books prompted his nomination, along with his important work fighting against child poverty.

He published his first kids’ book You Are A Champion in 2020 with Macmillan Children’s Books, and started The Marcus Rashford Book Club that highlights work by young writers and illustrators from all backgrounds.

Part of the book deal includes a combined effort between Rashford and publisher Macmillan to donate books to children in need, with help from the National Literacy Trust, and W H Smith, among others.

Rashford is also recognised for his work tackling child poverty and the promotion of free school meals. His persistent and passionate advocacy for children, especially while holding the UK government accountable for their decisions, has been acknowledged also.

Importantly, Rashford has done all of this in the face of some terrible racism in public and in the media.

The FutureBook Conference takes place on 19th November in London, as well as online.