Always a Catch

September 29, 2014
Adult nonfiction author Richmond, delving into YA territory, gives readers a promising setup: unambitious and uninspired Jack Lefferts has just been accepted into esteemed Oakhurst Hall prep school for 11th grade, where he's expected to perfect his piano playing and secure his right to his father's fortune. But Jack's arrival at the school triggers a deep-seated need to see what he's really capable ofâa need that leads him to enter the high-pressure world of varsity football, experiment with his music, and develop a relationship with Caroline, a fellow musician. The resulting story, like any good football game, has its emotional highs and lows as well as a great deal of unforeseen moments. Jack's narration adds believable and insightful commentary on the pressures of being a teenage guy. Richmond skillfully delivers scene after scene of gridiron grit while maintaining Jack's wit and charm, and pulling off a winning story, on and off the field. Readers can only hope that this isn't Richmond's last young adult novel. Ages 12âup.

July 15, 2014
First-generation rich boy Jack is shipped off to prestigious Oakhurst Hall, where he makes varsity football as a walk-on, molds potheads into a recording-worthy band, wows teachers with his insightful writing and meets the intriguing Caroline-but Jack's a teen, so there's plenty of angst and self-analysis, too.Even with mom long-gone to do "good work" in Guatemala (apparently unconcerned about "the work she hasn't finished" in raising her son), a father obsessed with work, a kind but inexperienced stepmother, and little home support for his loves of music and running, Jack knows he has more going for him than most. But he's still a teen away from home facing life-altering decisions: bulk up through weightlifting alone, or try steroids? Go with Dad's "try harder than the people on each side of you" competitive advice or his coach's "[you're] playing for the men on each side of you" message? Buck school tradition, or go along to get along? The compressed time frame (football season) and deep bench of characters necessitate skimming over profound development, but the pace is fast and the writing clean, entertaining and candid. An appealing mix of teen confusion and potential, Jack's greatest threat is his 'roid-raging teammates' late hits, but a happy outcome is never really in doubt.Football forms the backbone, but music courses through the veins of a dynamic but thoughtful novel of self-discovery.(Fiction. 12-16)

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July 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-Jack Lefferts is trying to find his place in the world. He has a difficult relationship with his father; the two of them have never quite seen eye to eye, until Jack is given the chance to transfer to Oakhurst Hall Boarding School. It is a prestigious academy where Jack will presumably receive an excellent education. Jack's piano talent is the key to his acceptance into the school, but he surprises everyone by trying out for the football team instead. Jack must balance his time on the gridiron with school work and his music. The story moves quickly as the football season progresses. Jack as well-crafted character, for whom readers will root. Jack faces a true test of who he is and what kind of player he wants to be when he finds out that members of his team are using steroids. Richmond has written an above-average story that will appeal to fans of the genre and authors, such as Mike Lupica and Tim Green. There are moments of teen drinking and drug use that make this title for older readers.-Patrick Tierney, Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary School RI

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