Sports Book Reviews: Pop, Rebel Power Play & Family Huddle

Books don’t always have to be about magical kingdoms or fairy-tale princesses. Tons of authors these days are writing about topics normal, everyday kids just like you are interested in, like sports.

POP

Author: Gordon Korman
Ages: 12 and up

In Gordon Korman’s new football-focused book, quarterback Marcus Jordan has a big problem: the football team at his new school had a perfect season last year so they aren’t interested in letting him on the roster. To make matters worse, the team’s current star QB Troy Popovitc doesn’t want Marcus eyeing his position – or his ex-girlfriend, the head cheerleader.

So Marcus starts training extra hard at the local park in a last-ditch effort to win the team over. That’s when he meets Charlie, a middle-aged man who seems to know his way around a football and has a bone-shattering tackle technique, as well. Charlie agrees to help Marcus step up his game to the point where Coach Barker starts letting him play with the school team.

Eventually, Charlie discovers that Charlie is actually a retired NFL linebacker – and Troy’s dad. Of course, Troy goes ballistic and warns Marcus to stay away from Charlie. But Marcus is willing to do anything for the man who taught him how to make his defense go POP – no matter what the cost.

POP Rating:

Rebel Power Play

Author: David Skuy
Series: Charlie Joyce
Ages: 10 and up

Rebel Power Play/b> is the second book in the Charlie Joyce series by David Skuy, The first book, Off the Crossbar, published in 2006, marked the start of Charlie Joyce’s hockey story.

This time Charlie finds himself battling big egos on his hockey team, including the coach. To top it all off he missed tryouts for the local league. Just when he thinks he won't be able to play AAA hockey he’s asked to try out for another team: The Hawks. But when the Hawks start practicing it’s pretty obvious they need a new coach. As they lose game after game (and half the team to fighting) it’s left up to Charlie and some others to take matters into their own hands. But can they rebuild the team on their own?

Rebel Power Play:

Family Huddle

Author: The Manning Family
Ages: 5 and up

If you don’t know who Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Archie Manning are, chances are you don’t watch much football. In terms of the NFL, they’re a superstar family representing three generations of football talent. Peyton plays quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts; Eli plays quarterback for the New York Giants; and Archie (now retired) played in two Pro Bowls with the New Orleans Saints. Now the Mannings have come together to publish their first football book for kids: Family Huddle.

In the book Eli and Peyton are much younger than they are in real life right now. Follow along as they pile into the car with their older brother, Cooper, for a trip to visit their grandparents. Their dad, Archie, is at the wheel, with mom Olivia at his side. The boys joke around and play football at every opportunity, running fun plays like the buttonhook, the quarterback sneak, and the hook and ladder – and show you how to perfect these moves on your own, too!

Family Huddle Rating:

Related Stories: