Finished Two More . . .

I can’t begin to guess how many football games I have attended in my life — both of my brothers played and both of my sons, too. My oldest son started in 7th grade (2001) and played through high school. My younger son also started in 7th grade and continues to play for the University of Tulsa. So it’s been constant football at our house since 2001, yet I can’t remember ever reading many”football” books. But this week I read and enjoyed Football Genius by Tim Green. It tells the story of 12 year-old Troy White who is growing up in Atlanta, Georgia and is desperately trying to win a starting spot on his football team. He feels at a disadvantage because he doesn’t have a father while the other kid trying for the same position has a father who is coaching the team. The story really takes off, though, when Troy discovers that he has a special talent for predicting the next football play before it happens. He can do this for any team, any position or any player. When his mom gets a job working in public relations for the Atlanta Falcons, Troy feels this is his chance to use his special talent and help his favorite team turn their season around. But there are many obstacles, bullies, and security guards to get around before Troy can put his plan in place. There’s lots of football information, lots of action, and lots of suspense in this book. A very good selection in a series of books by former NFL player and now best-selling author Tim Green. Give it a try — whether you like football or not — I think you’ll enjoy the characters, the setting (scenes in the Falcon’s stadium and locker room!) and the fast pace of the story.

Next I read Wonder by R.J. Palacio. This book gets a spot on my “best books of all time” list. It’s the amazing story of Auggie Pullman who is starting fifth-grade at Beecher Prep. Because he was born with a facial deformity (he’s had 27 surgeries so far) he has been home schooled up to this point. But now his parents feel it is time for him to go to public school. Auggie wants everyone to realize that is he an ordinary kid on the inside, but it’s hard to get anyone to know him because of his appearance. This book will make you laugh out loud and it will make you cry as well. This is an incredible story about families, about kids at school, and about learning what is important in life. A must-read for everyone — put it on your list to read this year!!