A while ago I read Chris Crutcher's book Deadline, a fabulous book about a dying boy who decides to go out for football. After all, what does he have to lose? I am not and never have been a football fan but when Gordon Korman's Pop came my way, I decided to give it a chance. After all, I liked Deadline so what did I have to lose? And once again the football was an important part of the story but not the whole story by a long shot. Marcus is new to town and really really wants to play football. But the team has been really successful and they don't want a new player. Hanging out in the park, Marcus meets an unusual man who is happy to throw the ball around with Marcus. In fact, he is happy to tackle Marcus the hardest he's ever been tackled, throw the ball almost harder than Marcus can catch and catch just about anything Marcus can throw. Soon Marcus has discovered that his new football playing friend is a former NFL player and the father of one of the guys who really doesn't want Marcus on the high school team. Full of surprising depths about dealing with long term illness, being true to your friends and taking the consequences of your actions. Recommended for upper elementary and middle school.
Pop, by Gordon Korman, 978-0-06-174230-9, coming out 8/25/2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
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