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readingrobin's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As I work my way through reading the Lincoln Award nominees for this year, I figured I would get the sport book over with right away since they're not exactly my genre. But, much to my surprise, this is much more than just a sport book. It's about identity, grief, loss, reinvention, uncertainty, told in such a way that is moving and accessible for teens. Isaiah is such a likeable lead, prone to mistakes and messing up, but you can tell that he has a genuine desire to make things right.
The book focuses on the aftermath of a serious head injury Isaiah sustains during a game, one that may prevent him from continuing to play. After a rough childhood and the death of his sister, football gave Isaiah structure and goals and kept him out of trouble. And now, with the threat of losing the thing that gave him a second chance, he must choose between the new life he made for himself or run the risk of falling back into bad habits.
The book focuses on the aftermath of a serious head injury Isaiah sustains during a game, one that may prevent him from continuing to play. After a rough childhood and the death of his sister, football gave Isaiah structure and goals and kept him out of trouble. And now, with the threat of losing the thing that gave him a second chance, he must choose between the new life he made for himself or run the risk of falling back into bad habits.
vmgomez92's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
zbrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Being a football mom, one whose son played nose tackle, if what happened to Isaiah happened to him, I’d probably make him quit. This book isn’t necessarily focused on football but the repercussions and what can happen to a person when their bell is cracked. I liked how it also focused on Isaiah‘s pre-football days and post football days. Football definitely gives a troubled kid focus, however, Isaiah‘s trouble stemmed from the devastating loss of his sister Hannah. He was acting out and the only way for him to straighten up and get some structure was for his father to force his hand and make him choose football. Unfortunately there were repercussions to being so focused and playing as hard as Isaiah did. The relationship with Grace almost seemed secondary. Overall it was a good book,
contemplitclhs's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
This book was very well written, not only was it about sports, but it also talked about personal problems that I have had also. A boy named Isaiah never decided to play football until his freshman year of High School. He wasn't the best kid, usually smoking weed or getting in fights at school. His Dad eventually threaten him to be kicked out of the household if he didn't change, and his dad told him to go out for football to take his anger out. He did. He wasn't bad at all, a first-year starter and the best tackler on the team. He hit a kid so hard, he ended up getting a concussion without knowing. The character did a very good job of describing the concussion with "witches whistling, and bells ringing."
The writer Geoff Herbach pull me in right away. He stated lines about football, but also his outside life, and how his sister died and he needed to persevere throughout the year and not have it affect him. These books I like, because usually, you can learn a thing or two about how to persevere when going through a rough time. The book was also fast past which I like, it got into many details right away. It never seemed to bore me. Isaiah liked this girl named Grace, but she had a bad influence on him as she drank every time while working, and made him drink with her. He liked her so he did whatever she told him. Although they never got caught because she was a good worker and got everything done.
Love,
Hayden Rieck
The writer Geoff Herbach pull me in right away. He stated lines about football, but also his outside life, and how his sister died and he needed to persevere throughout the year and not have it affect him. These books I like, because usually, you can learn a thing or two about how to persevere when going through a rough time. The book was also fast past which I like, it got into many details right away. It never seemed to bore me. Isaiah liked this girl named Grace, but she had a bad influence on him as she drank every time while working, and made him drink with her. He liked her so he did whatever she told him. Although they never got caught because she was a good worker and got everything done.
Love,
Hayden Rieck
blondelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Football has been the glue that has kept Isaiah sane for years when his family fell apart. When he gets a serious concussion, he is forced to reevaluate the cost.
ajworkman77's review against another edition
4.0
Football and concussions! Such a great way you have the conversation.
z_brarian's review against another edition
5.0
Being a football mom, one whose son played nose tackle, if what happened to Isaiah happened to him, I’d probably make him quit. This book isn’t necessarily focused on football but the repercussions and what can happen to a person when their bell is cracked. I liked how it also focused on Isaiah‘s pre-football days and post football days. Football definitely gives a troubled kid focus, however, Isaiah‘s trouble stemmed from the devastating loss of his sister Hannah. He was acting out and the only way for him to straighten up and get some structure was for his father to force his hand and make him choose football. Unfortunately there were repercussions to being so focused and playing as hard as Isaiah did. The relationship with Grace almost seemed secondary. Overall it was a good book,
gpepe_0's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookbrig's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
I picked this up because some of our middle school readers asked for sports books. It's a compelling, quick read with some good game details. But the bulk of the story is about the main character dealing with the fallout of family tragedy and past decisions. Not my cup of tea, but I think our teens will be into it.
marietaracalla's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
not very good in my opinion, i do not feel like it was well written and the storyline was odd