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Title: The Walk On
Author:John Feinstein
Target:Grades 6 and up
Series: This is the first book in a planned trilogy
What this book is about:
Alex has just moved into town and with his amazing arm he has high hopes of making the varsity football team as the new quarterback. However, he quickly learns that not only does the team already have a solid quarterback, but the quarterback is also the coaches son, making a starting position virtually impossible. While Alex wants to hate the quarterback, he can’t, because he turns out to be a great guy and a talented team leader. But Alex can’t say the same thing about the head coach. The coach’s obvious favoritism means that Alex will have to be a team player, even if that means sitting on the bench.
Alex has just moved into town and with his amazing arm he has high hopes of making the varsity football team as the new quarterback. However, he quickly learns that not only does the team already have a solid quarterback, but the quarterback is also the coaches son, making a starting position virtually impossible. While Alex wants to hate the quarterback, he can’t, because he turns out to be a great guy and a talented team leader. But Alex can’t say the same thing about the head coach. The coach’s obvious favoritism means that Alex will have to be a team player, even if that means sitting on the bench.
Why I love this book:
I know almost nothing about football, but I still got completely caught up in the games, which are pivotal to this story. Some of the terminology eluded me, but it didn’t matter in my enjoyment of this book.
I know almost nothing about football, but I still got completely caught up in the games, which are pivotal to this story. Some of the terminology eluded me, but it didn’t matter in my enjoyment of this book.
I liked Alex. He gets frustrated, he makes mistakes but you are rooting for him throughout. I also really enjoyed that they didn’t make the other quarterback the bad guy. So often in books it is another team member who is the bully, but in this case it is actually the adult in power that is making questionable decisions, and I think that makes Alex’s situation feel even more complex.
I also enjoyed the fact it was a book with a kid in high school, but it was appropriate for middle school kids. They want to read about more mature situations, but sometimes the books with high school athletes focus too much on issues that may not be relevant to younger kids. This book crossed over nicely.
Who this book is for:
Great book for athletes, and it works for both middle school and high school kids.
Great book for athletes, and it works for both middle school and high school kids.
Final thoughts:
I really liked this one. I am looking forward to basketball season for book two and baseball season for book three! Yes, Alex has quite an arm.
I really liked this one. I am looking forward to basketball season for book two and baseball season for book three! Yes, Alex has quite an arm.
To purchase this book:
Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: The Walk On (The Triple Threat, 1)
A portion of this book goes to support this blog at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
A portion of this book goes to support this blog at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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