Tween Tuesday: Football Hero

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen.  The purpose is "to highlight great reads for tweens!"

Football Hero by Tim Green 

New York: HarperCollins, 2008

ISBN: 978006112767

304 pages

4 out of 5

Ty Lewis can't believe it when Coach V recruits him for the football team.  This is Ty's big chance to prove how fast he is on the field, get a fresh start in a new school, and be like his older brother, Thane "Tiger" Lewis, who's about to graduate from college and is being courted by the NFL.

But Ty's guardian, Uncle Gus, won't let him play.  Uncle Gus needs Ty to scrub floors and toilets for his cleaning business while he cooks up gambling schemes with the local mob boss, a man called "Lucy."

When Lucy hears just how famous Ty's older brother is, he becomes suddenly friendly.  Are the questions Lucy is asking Ty really about fantasy football...or is the Mafia using Ty to get valuable insider info from his superstar brother?  Desperately worried, Ty must come up with a plan to save Thane's football career--and, ultimately, his life.

Author of the New York Times bestselling Football Genius, former NFL player Tim Green will have you on the edge of your seat rooting for Ty--and enjoying an upclose look at what it's like to be inside the NFL.

So Ty is this ordinary, poor, scrawny kid who gets invited to play football.  He's super-fast and has great hands.  Uncle Gus has other plans for Ty's hands--he has Ty join his cleaning business and Ty gets bathroom duty (no pun intended).  When Lucy takes an interest in Ty and the information Ty has access to, Ty is able to bargain for the opportunity to play but gets mixed up in more than he ever imagined.

Ty is only kid I can think of who actually measures up to his older sibling.  Most titles with this story line are about discovering how special they are in spite of a successful sibling, but with these two, football is in their genes.  Even though I'm not the world's biggest football fan, I enjoyed Ty's successes and felt empathy for his troubles.  

Even though this is a football book there are many other things that go on.  Yes, there are games and practices and football jargon, but there's also the story line with Lucy, Thane's entrance into the world of celebrity as a starter for an NFL team, and the two brothers are still coping with the loss of their parents.

Overall this is an enjoyable read and the next time I get asked about a good book for middle grade, I'll lead the parent to the Tim Green books.

Do Not Pass Go

Do Not Pass Go by Kirkpatrick Hill

Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2007

ISBN: 9781416914006

229 pages

4 out of 5

Deet's world turns upside down when his father is arrested for drug use.  It doesn't seem possible that kind, caring Dad could be a criminal!  After all, he only took the pills to stay awake so he could work two jobs.  Now what will happen?  How will Deet be able to face his classmates?  Where will they get money?  And most importantly, will Dad be okay in prison?

Hurt, angry, and ashamed, Deet doesn't want to visit his father in jail.  But when Mom goes back to work, Deet starts visiting Dad after school.  It's frightening at first, but as he adjusts to the routine, Deet begins to see the prisoners as people with stories of their own, just like his dad.  Deet soon realizes that prison isn't the terrifying place of movies and nightmares.  In fact, Dad's imprisonment leads Deet to make a  few surprising discoveries--about his father, his friends, and himself.

With moving realism, Kirkpatrick Hill brings to light the tumultuous experience of having a parent in jail in this honest and stirring story of a young man forced to grow up quickly.

This is one instance where I feel the above description does not do the novel justice.  Most readers realize that these blurbs are meant to get your interest without giving away everything, but there are many more elements to this story that are more interesting than Deet visiting his father in jail.  Don't get me wrong, the approach the novel takes to this subject is very compassionate and could be helpful to someone who's parent/other relative/friend has landed in jail for a non-violent crime. 

The novel is set in a small town in Alaska, so when someone gets arrested everyone recognizes the name in the paper.  This is something Deet is terribly afraid of, but Deet is terribly afraid of quite a few things.  Deet's introduction actually establishes him as being a bit OCD and critical of the way his parents manage their lives.  As the story progresses, Deet learns a lot about what it takes to keep up a household while keeping up with school. 

One of my favorite elements from this book is the conversation between Deet and his English teacher.  Throughout the novel Deet keeps a quotations notebook for class.  He selects quotations and writes about that quote, and his English teacher responds. It's is through this "conversation" that Deet reveals what the experience has taught him. 

As might be noticeable from my disconnected thoughts above, I'm having trouble writing about this book.  I really enjoyed it.  It's a book that I want to tell all about so to not ruin it I'm trying to keep my fingers in check.

This is a 2010-2011 Sunshine State Young Reader's Award nominee.

Spies and Terrorists Oh My!

I,Q Book One: Independence Hall by Roland Smith

Sleeping Bear Press, 2008

ISBN: 978158364688

302 pages

5 out of 5

Step-siblings Q (Quest) and Angela are thrust into the work of the U.S. Secret Service and the Israeli Mossad when Angela realizes that she's being followed, and Q learns the secret about Angela's real mother--a former Secret Service agent who was supposedly killed by a terrorist group.  But who are the good guys and who are the bad guys?  I,Q readers are immersed in current issues affecting the world in this edge-of-your-seat, modern-day mystery adventure.

I loved this book!

The story takes place over three or four but it's ridiculous ho much happens.  As the description says, there's Secret Service and Mossad, and terrorists. The description caused some concern that the title might prove to be typical of this type (I'm thinking of those books that claim to have a lot, but fizzle just as they get interesting).  This one definitely surprised me, in a good way.  The story is not what you might think.

As the short time-frame indicates, this book is well paced and has interesting characters.  Readers will appreciate the lack of parents in this novel.  They are there, loving, and good parents, but it fulfills the wish of every kid to have parents that just disappear and let them be for a while.  Q is a great narrator and Angela is the character that spurs the story.   Even with the emphasis on Angela, this book is perfect for boys.  Spies and intrigue is a perfect way to catch their attention.   Finally, the short chapters make for smooth, easy reading.

Special Delivery

The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer

Delacorte Press, 2006

ISBN: 9780440421344

178 pages

4 out of 5

Vernon Culligan had been dead to the town of Draydon, Virginia, so long that when the crusty Vietnam vet finally died, only one person noticed.  Twelve-year-old Gabe grew up in the foster care system until a social worker located his Uncle Vernon two years before.  When he comes home to discover that his uncle has died of a heart attack, he's terrified of going back into the system--so he tells no one.  The next day, he discovers a strange not in his mailbox: I have a secret.  Do not be afraid.  And his uncle's body is gone.

Thus begins a unique correspondence destined to save the two people that depended on Vernon for everything.  Through flashbacks, we learn about Gabe and Vernon's relationship, and how finding each other saved them both from lives of suffering.  But eventually, Vernon's death will be discovered, and how will Gabe and the mystery note writer learn to move forward?  The Mailbox is not a story about death--though it begins with a death.  It's also not a story about Vietnam vets, although the author works with Vietnam veterans and wrote this novel, in part, to illuminate their sacrifices and suffering.  The Mailbox is a story about connections--about how two people in need can save each other.

The beginning of the novel caught me off-guard because Uncle Vernon speaks with a dialect.  But like any other novel with dialect, it's easy to read once you get used to it.  As the description says the story is about connections: Vernon and Gabe; Gabe and Webber; Gabe and Mr. Boehm; Vernon and the mystery writer.  These characters are very believable and I liked getting to know them.  Gabe is especially well-written and embodies not only the awkwardness of his age, but also the awkwardness (and occasional fear) of his situation.

There is a second plot line discussing Uncle Vernon service in the military.  The majority of these scenes are revealed as Gabe's memories of living with his Uncle.  It's both beautiful and sad.  Unfortunately, this plot line is dropped during much of the action of the story; I actually forgot about Uncle Vernon's army days.  But perhaps Gabe did too.  A twelve-year-old isn't exactly going to dwell on his uncle's army days.

From my point of view, the only shortfall was the ending.  It wrapped up a bit too neatly for my taste.  It was not a bad ending, I'm just not big on perfection, especially in realistic fiction.  It doesn't take away from the novel--in fact, the ending is one of two scenarios you hope for.  It's just a personal preference.  Overall, it's a great middle grade novel that I would definitely recommend.

Cha-Ching

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Wendy Lamb Books, 2007

ISBN: 9780385746861

88 pages

3.5 out of 5

One day I was twelve years old and broke.  I set out to mow some lawns with Grandpa's old riding mower.  One client was Arnold the stockbroker, who offered to teach me about: the beauty of capitalism.  Supply and demand.  Diversifying labor.  Distributing wealth.  "It's groovy man," Arnold said.

The grass grew, and so did the business. Arnold invested my money in many things.  One of them was a prizefighter.  All of a sudden I was the sponsor of my very own fighter, Joey Pow.  That's when my twelfth summer got really interesting.

Gary Paulsen's comic story about a summer job becomes a slapstick lesson in business as one boy turns a mountain of grass into a mountain of cash.

______________________________

 This description is from the hardcover edition.

The first line of this book really got my attention: "It all began at nine in the morning on my twelfth birthday when my grandmother gave me an old riding lawn mower."  That was the most interesting part.

I like the first person perspective.  It's done very well and sounds enough like a kid that readers could relate.  My main problem is that some of the monetary details go pretty far before he says he was confused.  My brain turned to snooze when this was going on.  The most surprising part is what Lawn Boy does, actually doesn't do, when he has the sudden rush of cash.

Also the action is kind of like a Disney movie.  There's just enough danger or interest to get you to think something big(ger) is about to happen, but before you have a chance to really enjoy it a resolution is found. 

Overall it was a short, enjoyable book. I'm used to longer novels, and this is perhaps why I feel on the fence about this book.  There is a sequel, Lawn Boy Returns, so perhaps that will satiate my desire for more story.

Diamond in the Rough

Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney

Delacorte Press, 2007

ISBN: 9780385732611

228 pages

4.5 of 5

The Finch family doesn't know that five refugees have landed from Africa on the day they do to the airport to welcome the family sponsored by their church.  The Finch family only knows about the four refugees they're meeting: Andrew, Celestine, Mattu, and Alake--father, mother, teenage song and daughter.

Jared Finch was horrified and angry when he learned from his minister that his parents had agreed to take in this African refugee family.  Jared is not amused that he'll have to share his home with a family who have never used a phone, driven a car, or seen a supermarket full of food.  Jared's annoying younger sister, Mopsy, immature as usual, is so thrilled to share her room with an unknown girl that she's jumping up and down.

The Amabo family, who have suffered unimaginable horrors, begin to adjust to a life of plenty in the Finches' suburban Connecticut home.  And the Finches begin to realize that what they have understood about charity has been very little indeed.  Still, life seems good.

The fifth refugee does not believe in good.  This lawless rebel has managed to enter American undetected.  And the Amabo family has something of his--something that they agreed to carry into the country for him.

When Jared realizes that the good guys are not always innocent, he must make a decision that could change the fates of both the Finches and the Amabos.  In this uncommonly penetrating story, Caroline B. Cooney presents many points of view and a fresh perspective on doing the right thing. (From the book jacket)

Completely enraptured.  I spent most of a day just reading this book.  I actually left work late just so I didn't have to stop reading it.  One of the most intriguing lines comes early in the novel: "In a civil war," Crick said, "there are no good guys.  They're all guilty of something.  You are probably not saving the innocent, because in a civil war, nobody is innocent."  It seems a terrible way to introduce a community to an incoming refugee family, but the way this small piece (from an auxiliary character) plays out through the novel is absolutely wonderful.

The characters of both families each have their own personalities and their own secrets and fears.  I won't say that all the characters are fully developed, because some are definitely more important than others.  But even the characters that are neglected are given alibis of sorts; it's just a perfectly crafted novel. 

So with the glowing review above, why the 4.5 and not a 5?  Even though I was hooked by the end of the novel, it takes some time to gear up.  Also, even though I understood where Jared was coming from, I didn't like the introduction to him.  He struck me as superficial and selfish and when I started the book I wasn't in the mood for that type of narrator.

Smiles to Go

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

Joanna Cotler Books, 2008

ISBN: 9780060281335

272 pages

Rating: 3 of 5

Everything changes the day ninth-grade Will Tuppence learns one startling fact: protons--those tiny atomic particles, the building-blocks to the building-blocks of life--can die.  The one thing that was so certain in this world to Will has an expiration date. 

And Will's carefully planned-out life?

Not so certain, either.

Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli tips Will's world on its side to show that the beauty and wonder of life is in not knowing what comes next.

I'll start off saying that it took me two tries to get going with this book.  Part of it could be that after starting it, I went on vacation for a week and lost the mood. The other part is the book itself.  Even the second time, it took a bit for me to get interested in it.  It's leisurely paced and calculated, like the main character Will Tuppence, who has a scientific mind and enjoys breaking life into measurable parts. 

Will is obsessed with the proton; all his life he has believed that somethings existed that was indestructible.  One morning he learns otherwise and it turns his world upside down.  This event is the catalyst for all other events in the book.  The death of the proton changes Will's view of his world. This provides a different backdrop for the typical teen experience of experiencing love for the first time, coming to terms with other people's choices and dealing with a bratty younger sister.

It took some time but toward the end of the book I decided I liked it.  It's not going on my top ten list, but it was worth the read.

Sunshine State Readers!

The Sunshine State Readers were announced over a month ago, but I'm finally starting to get them in.  There are quite a few here that will undoubtedly grab the attention of boys.  The ones in bold are ones I will come back to once I've read them.  (The ones with the * are interesting but I'm not sure about them yet; so these are ones I might come back to.)  In the meantime, enjoy the list and Happy Independence Day!

 Seer of Shadows by Avi

Taken by Edward Bloor*

Diamonds in the Shadows by Caroline B. Cooney*

Football Hero by Tim Green

Great Wide Sea by M.L. Herlong

Do Not Pass Go by Kirkpatrick Hill

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Billy Creekmore by Tracey Porter

Lost Time by Susan Maupin Schmid

The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer*

Changeling by Delia Sherman

I.Q.: Independence Hall by Roland Smith

Mercy on These Teenage Chimps by Gary Soto

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli