Sports+Fiction

**Post reviews of Sports Fiction here:`**
// Center Field, by // Robert Lipsyte Mike is a junior in high school who has this year under control. Mike is doing great - he is dating one of the hottest girls in school, and his coach gives him everything except the starting position in center field for the varsity team. But a new kid comes in to the school and is a really good center fielder therefore Mike is left to sit. Then he finds himself making decisions he never thought that he would make. I can make a connection to this because I came up to varsity as a sophomore for catching and took the starting catcher’s spot. I recommend the book for any teen because it deals with many things that we as teens face daily. This is just a very good book and that’s coming from someone who never reads. -Danny Domek

=__**Change-up By John Feinstein**__= ==__Change-up__ by John Feinstein is a book about a MLB pitcher who has a very twisted past. Norbert Doyle (the pitcher) lost his wife at a young age. Yet no one knows the real reason as to how. A couple of young writers, Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson, are taken in by the story, and want to find out more about the truth. Follow these writers as they investigate the untold story of Norbert Doyle. Will they find out what really happen? Give it a read and find out.==

-MC
= =__Change-Up__, John Feinstein= //Change-Up// is a sports fiction novel about mystery. Norbert Doyle is a starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals who was a late call up. Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson are two young reporters who were assigned to cover the World Series. After a very in-depth interview with Doyle, the two young reporters find out about his past and try to piece together the death of his wife. My favorite part of this story is when Doyle admits to the truth about his wifes death. If you are a fan of baseball, you will be a fan of this book. This novel is a great story about the mysteries behind sports figures. - ND

Change-Up Book Trailer
=**__Cover-Up__, by John Feinstein**=

The quote “Don’t judge a book by its cover” applies to the book __Cover-Up__ by John Feinstein. It is not what you would expect it to be. In this story, a 14 year old boy named Steve Thomas reveals a “cover-up” that is going on in the NFL at the time. He and his partner Susan Carol uncover that some players on the Dreams have been taking performance enhancing drugs. My favorite part of this book is when Don Marker, the Dreams owner, arranges to kidnap Susan and Stevie at the mall. This is the most intense part of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in football. Overall, this book was enjoyable to read. -Levi Wilcox

__Football Dreams__, by David Guy
The book I read was Football Dreams by David Guy.This is a book about a high school football player that lives a pretty average life and really focuses on football he is a junior varsity player and wants to move up to varsity like it is the dream of any high school football player. It tells about him and how hard he works to try and reach his goal.The also tells of a average life of a American teenager. I really connected with the whole book because I play football and have been in the position of wanting to play with the big boys and wanting to get some playing time. I connected with all the practice that has to go with it to possibly reach or not reach your goal. If you play football or want to know what other teens may go through you would probably like this book. This book was a overall good book that I think many people my age could really connect too.

** Football Genius, **** by Tim Green ** ** The Book “Football Genius" By Tim Green is a story about a 12 year old boy Troy with a dream to become a Professional Football player.Even though he is only 12 years old he is working hard in practice, but isn't receiving any playing time, because of the coaches son. When his mom gets a job working for the Atlanta Falcons, Troy gets a pass to go on the sidelines of the field.During the game he tries to tell the head coach what the other teams offense is going to do, but he gets taken away by security.After the game he talks with the owner about why he was trying to get to the head coach. After explaining it the owner gives him a job as a ball boy so he can call the plays.My Favorite part of the story is when he gets to meet Seth Halloway. I Recommend this book to anyone who likes football or likes to read about football.All in all this is a great book to read for school and just a good book in general.-BM **

Football Genius Book Trailer


 * __Football Genius__, by Tim Green**

The book I read is called Football Genius. Its about a boy named Troy who loves the game of football. Troy and his friends play on the same team and trade football cards and everything, but Troy has a problem on his team. He his put as second string behind the coach’s son even though Troy is a better player. Trying to make it to 1st string is proving to be difficult and showing the coach he is better is even harder than it sounds. But Troy has a special gift--he can tell what plays the teams will run before they run them. At one point in the book Troy is dared to sneak into a subdivision and take a football from a football player’s backyard. Eventually he meets the player and tells him of his special gift which they try to use to win. It is even harder when Troy’s mom’s new job for the Atlanta Falcons is in jeopardy. Together they try to convince the team that he can help them to a winning season. The good part of the book to me would be how it’s about the underdog. People who are losing or on bottom turnout on top of things and winning. The book is alright. If people like these kinds of books then I would recommend that they read this book. After reading the book it’s fair to say the book is alright and tells an alright story. -Colin Kelly

//Gym Candy//: by Carl Deuker
This book is about a junior high student named Mick Johnson wanted to be the starting running back on his football team from the moment his father put a football into his hands at the age of four. Mick was raised to believe his father was a tremendous football player who played for the NFL, but later realizes he did not get the full story. He doesn’t want to make the same mistakes his father made. In junior high Mick starts to really gain speed and agility, but finds he is not as strong as he would like. He starts to lift weights constantly, but he has a difficult time exceeding his past personal goals. His father offers to get him some time with a personal trainer at a nearby gym and Mick goes, even though his coach thinks that it would be better to work out with his own teammates. His personal trainer, Peter, offers Mick some steroid enhancements that he refuses. After Peter assures him that they are harmless and will give him unimaginable strength Peter thinks about it for a while whether to take the steroids or not. If you want to find out whether he takes them or not read this book.
 * ~Alexis Noriega**


 * Gym Candy Movie Trailer**

= __**Gym Candy**__, by Carl Deuker =

Gym Candy is a book full of ups and downs for the main character Mick Johnson. The story is about a boy who wants to live up to his Fathers expectations and be the best football player he can be. Ever since he was a boy he was playing football with his dad in the back yard. He then began playing Pop Warner football when he was in kindergarten and he was the best player in the team. But as he grew older there was more and more competition. When he got into high school was when he was in trouble. There was a much bigger better and stronger kid competing for the same position as he was, running back. Mick being the athlete he was he worked extra hard in practice and he then after went to his own personal trainer. He soon realized getting stronger was no easy work and turned to steroids for help. Micks addiction to steroids caused him to do the unexpected. if you are into sports and in this case football, you will enjoy this book. -Payton Lockhart


 * __Heart of a Champion__, by Carl Deuker**

The book I read by Carl Deuker is called “Heart of a Champion”. This is a compelling story about two kids named Seth and Jimmy. They are best friends who share a love for baseball. They play together all the way up until high school. It’s not that one of them stopped playing, it’s just that Jimmy is a baseball prodigy and Seth is just an average player. Their friendship weakens when Jimmy gets called up to varsity and starts to hang out with only varsity players. Jimmy hanging out with the varsity players turns out to be a bad idea. My favorite part in this book is when Seth and Jimmy are both doing good in baseball and keep winning games. This is my favorite part because it’s the happiest time in the story. If you like baseball, you will love this book. I recommend this book to anyone who likes baseball. Overall, this is one of my favorite books and I think everyone should read it.- Hayden Simonson

Heart of a Champion book trailer

__Heart of a Champion,__ by Carl Deuker __Heart of a Champion__ by Carl Deuker is a book about two boys trip through manhood and baseball. The main characters are Seth and Jimmy, they both have a love for baseball. Their friendship is tested and so is their will to win. But when high school comes around Jimmy is called up to varsity while Seth is struggling on JV. My favorite part is when Seth finally gets called up to varsity and is playing like a true champion. This book is my favorite because it tugs at your heart but also is a competitive sports book. I recommend this to anyone who loves sports books or an underdog story. - Ryan "The Animal" Hoff

//Heart of a Champion,// by Carl Deuker


 * In the book , Jimmy Winter and Seth Barnman were  two young kids  that loved  the game  of baseball . They were trying  to achieve  the dream  of playing <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the majors <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. Jimmy and Seth would practice <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> every weekend at the park <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> with each other <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. They would try <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to make <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> themselves better <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> so they could play <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> on the same team <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the Babe Ruth league <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. They would work <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> on all of the little <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> things with each other <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and help <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> each other <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> out so they could both get better <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. Jimmy and Seth would sit <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> down after practicing and dream <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> about playing <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> on the same team <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the majors <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. My favorite part <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> of this book <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> is how Jimmy and Seth could practice <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> as much <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> as possible <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> with each other <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> because this reminds <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> me of myself. I always <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> would practice <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and dream <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> about playing <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the majors <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> when I was older <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. I would try <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> anything to improve <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> my skills <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to help <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> me with my game <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. I recommend <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> this book <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to anyone who loves baseball <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> because this is a remarkable book <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. It makes <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> me realize <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> if you work hard <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and set goals <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> you will be able <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to achieve <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> those goals <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. If you believe <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in yourself, you can achieve almost <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> anything you put <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> your mind to <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. Jimmy and Seth never gave <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> up they would practice <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> all the time <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and they had plans <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to play <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> with each other <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the majors <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> on the same team <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #191c1e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">. - **** Alex Gross **

//Million-Dollar Throw//, by Mike Lupica
//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Million Dollar Throw //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">is a story full of suspense, drama, and mind-blowing action. 13 year old Nate Brodie, with family in debt, has a chance to make a million-dollar throw. As the suspense builds up he is put under pressure. His best friend is going blind and his football team is in the playoff. My favorite part of this book is when Nate makes a amazing throw down the side line to win the game. I recommend this book to anyone who loves football. If you like sports, you will love //Million-Dollar Throw//. It is a feel-good novel that's perfect for all. - Lucas Secor

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**//Miracle on 49TH Street//, by Mike Lupica**

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Miracle on 49TH Street__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">deals with the relationship of a girl, Molly Parker, and her dad, Josh Cameron, who is a member of the world famous Boston Celtics. This relationship isn’t as simple as a typical father-daughter. Molly has just been introduced to him after her mother passes away from cancer. After the death, she lives with her mom’s best friend from college. When Molly tells Josh that she is his daughter, he doubts that what she said is true. Plus, Josh has a basketball career to think about. Having Molly there would just complicate the matters. After getting to know Josh, Molly realizes why her mother had kept the secret of Josh being Molly’s father. He is very selfish; all he cares about basketball and himself. However, as the book goes along, Molly realizes that maybe he does care about her and there is some good in him. I would recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of sports. This novel is great and will show you that there is good in everyone, even professional athletes. -Anthony Mallegni

__OFFSIDES__, by Erik E. Esckilsen
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tom Gray has had to move to his rival school’s district. He is a good soccer player and the coach at his rival school really wants him to play on the team.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tom is a native American. His dad got in a car accident which led to Tom’s arrival to the new school. His mom has been working really hard to get the mascot changed because she feels that it is hurtful to the Indian tribes. Tom agrees with her and will not play on the school team until the school changes their mascot. Tom starts to play pick up games with some science nerds from down the street. Tom ends up making a bet with the coach. The bet says that if Tom wins a scrimmage against the school team than the school mascot will be changed. If Tom loses though he will have to play the rest of his high school career with the Warriors. My favorite part was when Toms friend Jimmy is puking during a soccer game. If you like soccer and science you will like this book. This is a good book. -Austin Knobloch

In the story "Payback Time" a boy with a dream to become a reporter is put on an important story. Mitch True believes that Coach McNulty is cheating, by having an already graduated student (Angel Marichal) play on his highschool football team. Mitch and Kimi his photographer are doing anything to crack the case. Mitch thinks that coach is playing Angel so he can get a job as a college coach. Mitch and Kimi are determined to find out why he is cheating so they start questioning coach. Why does Angel not wanna talk? Why is coach cheating to get a college job? Read the book to find out what their evil scheme is! -Brent Maney
 * //Payback Time, by Carl Deuker//**

The Rivalry by John Feinstein
 * The book “The Rivalry” is about a rival football game between the Army and the Navy. In the beginning Susan Carol and Stevie Thomas are know to be amazing reporters. They are chosen by the Washington Post and the Washington Herald to cover the game. Both reporters have to go to their teams game the week before to get some team information. Then they both cover the Army/ Navy game together. At the Army/Navy game, they had to have high security because in tradition, the President attends the game. During the game, an intruder gets by the lack of security and into the arena. Many conspiracies occur during this game. So who wins the big rival game? My favorite part of the book is when the intruder gets into the game because it builds suspense. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes sports. I am a huge baseball fan, and normally only like baseball stories. “The Rivalry” really kept my interest and it was a great book. This book is one of my favorite books written by John Feinstein. **
 * -J.W **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Rucker Park Setup__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, Paul Volponi

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In the novel, Rucker Park Setup, written by Paul Volponi is a athlete's book to read. This story takes place at Rucker Park in a city where basketball is their main sport. J.R. and Mackey are best friends that play games and practiced their basketball skill at Rucker Park ever since they were little. They were the best pair of teammates around until something happened. Later in the book they played the game of their lives that not only showed the whole city how good they were, but it also showed a coach how much better their team was than his. I am personally connected to this book; not by what happened, but how J.R. and Mackey played and practice their favorite sport. If you are the kind of person that likes sports, and in particular basketball, you will love this book. -Taylor Carlson

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**Rucker Park Setup book trailer**

** SUMMER BALL- ** ** By: Mike Lupica **


 * The story //Summer Ball// is about a kid named Danny Walker. He goes to a summer basketball camp. Danny eat, breathes and lives for basketball. His dad was a professional player so basketball is a big deal in the Walker family. The plot in this book is that Danny is trying to enjoy basketball camp but Danny's coach is very stubborn and doesn’t seem to like Danny. The camp that Danny goes to is called Right Way. When the boys get there, they are assigned a team and at the end of the summer they have a huge tournament. Danny and his friends, Will and Ty, meet a new kid named Tarik. Danny is smaller than the rest of the boys and there is this kid named Lamar that makes fun of him. At the end of the summer, Danny, Will, and Tarik play Lamar for the championship game. My favorite part of this story was when Danny swooshed a three pointer and just smiled and looked at Lamar. I recommend this book to anyone who loves sports and who loves basketball. It is a great determination book. Danny had a lot of determination and he worked hard for what he wants to accomplish. This book is a great reminder to work hard for where you want to go in life. It may not be a basketball player but anything you want to be. **


 * -Megan Reddersdorf **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Travel Team by: Mike Lupica

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This book is about a really small child who gets cut from 7th grade travel basketball team, the same team which his dad won the National Championship with. After his dad comes back in town from being away for most of Danny’s childhood life, they combine to make a travel-team out of all the scrubs who got cut because they were told they were not good enough, or tall enough or big enough. My favorite part in this book is when Danny’s team of all the scrubs beats The Viking’s the team which first cut Danny in the first place, and also when Ty the coach’s son of The Vikings, and also Danny’s best friend, switch’s teams to be with Danny the rest of the way. If you love reading about underdogs rising to the top, or if you love reading about sports you will love this book. This book is very sad in times but also will keep your spirits up about sports, and if you ever got cut for the wrong reason this is the book for you. Overall I believe this book is a great one, because of all the inspiration it has in it and all the sports it has in it. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- Trent Knutson!

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why I Fight by: J Adams. Oaks.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why I Fight is a great book. The beginning of it starts off a little weird. The main character burned his house down when he was a little kid. His name is Wyatt. His parents eventually got rid of Wyatt. Wyatt was then adopted by his Uncle Spade. His uncle was a crazy man and did a lot of bad things. After a while Wyatt found out what he loved to do, and it was to fight. Wyatt and his uncle went from place to place, and survived off of money being made from Wyatt winning fights. My favorite part would be when Wyatt and his uncle were spending time with each other. When Wyatt first adopted him, he would take him fishing. Wyatt hated how much his Uncle Spade would talk, but Wyatt had to deal with it. I loved how Wyatt to spend time with his Uncle Spade, because I wish I had that option when I was a little boy; I never was given that chance. I would like to say that if you love fighting and sporty books this book is great for you. It also can teach you things, the values in life. It is an all around great story. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- Dominic Mandarino

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">__**Wrestling Sturbridge**__, by Rich Wallace

The book, Wrestling Sturbridge, written by Rich Wallace, is a book teens in wrestling would enjoy. A group of wrestlers are fairly close friends and even closer in weight. Everybody on the team is looking to make it to state this year. This poses a problem. Benny and Al are in the same weight class and every other class around them is filled. Benny also has a hard time concentrating on wrestling while a girl he met in school tries to get to know him more. My eyes were glued to the page and my heart was pounding as I read the actions of the two friends when they wrestled for the opportunity to compete for the state title. Wrestling Sturbridge is a great read for those who love sports, especially wrestling.- Coy Szaflarski