Over the End Line

September 1, 2009
Gr 9 Up-High school senior Jonny Fehey is unhappy with his position as a substitute on the soccer team and with his lowly status in the school's social hierarchy. In addition to finding himself outstripped both socially and athletically by his neighbor and life-long friend Kyle Saint-Claire, Jonny must also contend with his father's long-ago abandonment, bullying, the death of a girl with whom he had a summertime romance, and his failure to intervene in the drunken rape of an exchange student with whom he is romantically involved. All seem like a bit much? Well, it is. There are simply too many issues swirling around for any of them to be treated with any depth or complexity. The author is obviously knowledgeable about soccer, and his descriptions of the passion that young men bring to the game are genuinely engaging. However, even the most die-hard soccer fans are likely to be disappointed with this offering."Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2009
Grades 7-10 Jonathan Fehey has always lived in his best friend Kyles shadow. He is the second-string soccer player to Kyles starring role, a stud wannabe with the girls, and an outsider on the bottom rung of the schools social ladder. But after Jonny scores the winning goal in the Essex County championship game during his senior year, hes invited to a party at The Circle, an honor bestowed only to the people on the social ladders top rung. Using soccer as the omnipresent backdrop for the story, Martino forces both his characters and readers to address difficult questions about the meaning of true friendship, the pervasive influence of sports in high-school culture, and the subservient, worshipful role of teenage girls within that culture. While the novel may not have as much soccer action as sports enthusiasts crave, the drama, authentic setting, compelling characters, and gripping issues will make this a popular choice for teens who appreciate books by Chris Crutcher and Carl Deuker.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)