Football Champ

July 1, 2009
Gr 4-8-In this sequel to "Football Genius" (HarperCollins, 2007), Troy White, 12, continues to put to good use his uncanny ability to predict an opposing teams next move. He is employed by his beloved Atlanta Falcons to send in plays during games, thus helping the team to build a winning streak and prolonging the career of his idol, the aging and injury-riddled linebacker, Seth Halloway. Seth is dating Troys mom (also a Falcons employee) and coaching Troys youth league football team. While Troy is technically doing nothing against the rules, the Falcons want to keep his contribution to the teams success a secret. When he is outed by a sportswriter who has a grudge against Seth, the Falcons season, Troys upcoming youth league championship game, and his moms job are all placed in jeopardy. Troy is able to demonstrate to the NFL Commissioner that he can predict plays without cheating and tricks a corrupt doctor into admitting, on tape, that he lied about Seths steroid use. The Falcons season is saved, Seth coaches Troys team to the championship, and Troy is approached by an agent who promises millions for his play-predicting abilities. The unexpected appearance of Troys biological father in the final chapter sets up the next book in the series. While the novels premise is somewhat outlandish, the characters are engaging and the game action is exciting. Short cliff-hanger chapters make this a good bet for reluctant readers."Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2009
Grades 5-8 Green sends the 12-year-old savant introduced in Football Genius (2007) into the national spotlight in this second sequel. Proud of his unfailing ability to predict football plays, Troy naively grants a solo interview to an unscrupulous reporter and finds himselfalong with his NFL linebacker friend, Sethpublicly accused of cheating. Not only are the play-off hopes of their pro team (the Atlanta Falcons) and Troys own Duluth Tigers threatened but so are the careers of Seth and Troys mother, who works in the Falcons PR department. Readers will enthusiastically cheer Troy on as he heroically rises to every occasion, both on and off the field.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)