Restart by Gordon Korman

Restart by Gordon Korman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Chase Ambrose falls off the roof of his house; he wakes up to find he does not remember anything about his life- total amnesia. And when he returns to school he gets many different looks- even from his step sister- a 4 year old! Since he can't play football; he joins the Video Club and really enjoys it except for the girl who threw yogurt on his head. What he does not remember & finds out all too soon is that he was a bully along with 2 other friends who drove yogurt girl's brother to another school & earned community service at a convalescent home. I could not stop turning the pages as I followed Chase on his journey and I liked the alternating chapter of friends & those he bullied. Middle grade students will really enjoy this book; a must read!

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Play Like a Girl by Misty Wilson

Play Like a Girl by Misty Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Misty's 7th grade, being the only girl on the football team was so good! She loses her best friend who has changed, is a hit on the football team except for one nasty guy, and has the full support of her stepdad in all things having to do with the football team. I was glad to see Misty was able to have other girls from the cheer squad be her friends. The peer pressure was tough for Misty but she knew who she was (even when she tried to impress her friend who ditches her for a mean girl). A great middle grade graphic novel!

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Sudden Death (Andy Carpenter #4) by David Rosenfelt

Sudden Death by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Andy is hired to represent a football player accused of killing another football player. While still missing Laurie who is now in another state with her renewed family. Tara the golden is still the best friend and confidante of Andy.

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Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This compelling novel in verse by Jacqueline Woodson can and should be read by all ages! Telling the dramatic story of a son's love for his famous football player father who begins to show the ravages of many years of concussions, My heart ached for ZJ and his mother and most definitely for his father as the life they built for one another was decimated as shakes, anger, memory loss, and moodiness. With memories, songs, music, friends (the Fantastic 4) and family, this 12 year old grows up quickly and lives for those times when his father remembers, calls him Little Man, and hopes for a future that can help his father heal. A must read!

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Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read the Perfect Chemistry series and loved it. Wild Cards will appeal to guys and girls, those who love romance and even the reluctant readers. Derek and Ashtyn, the main characters are believable teens; they have personal "stuff" that has dogged them. Derek lost his mom to cancer and will not play football as a result of being at practice (and not with her) the day she died. Ashtyn's mom and sister left; her dad is gruff and never there for her and hates that she plays football. The way Simone Elkeles alternates the chapters (love it) with Derek and Ashtyn's voices will draw in teens and keep them turning the pages because the day they meet they definitely have an attraction (they chose to ignore it), even though they drive each other crazy. The ending is great due to Derek and Ashtyn finally caring enough about each other to express and talk about it. But even more, Elkeles has family become involved in a very good way to help those who need it. I am not going to give anything more away; just read it! A great romance and realistic fiction book!

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Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Geoff Herbach's Felton Reinstein is one incredible character. His voice is funny, sweet, confused and just plain nice but life has not been easy for Felton and his family. At the age of five, Felton finds his father's body after he hung himself. Felton grows up insecure with some bad advice from his mother, doctors, and not having a father figure. The summer that his best friend unexpectedly leaves to take care of his grandmother; everything goes crazy- Felton's mom agrees that he will take over his best friend's paper route; he shoots up inch by inch, eats everything in sight, starts lifting weights for football, and running. Felton meets Aleah Jennings when he drops a newspaper off at his best friend's house. Aleah is a superb piano player and likes Felton. Felton begins seeing Aleah daily and they definitely have a romantic, sweet connection. But then his mother starts acting strange, cursing, drinking, and as a final threat she stops being a mother to Felton and his little brother, Andrew. Felton doesn't want to burden anyone with his family problems and his father's suicide is always a specter that keeps chipping away at his mother, brother, and Felton. I laughed at Felton's thoughts and actions but I really felt for Felton when his family was falling apart; he didn't know what to do, how to act and he withdrew by missing lifting, practices,not seeing his friends or Aleah. What will happen to Felton is worth all the drama and laughs. Herbach's book is a recommended read, I can't wait to see what my students think, since this is a Reading Olympic book selection.

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