Unstoppable

December 1, 2012

Gr 4-7-Tim Green reads his latest football story (HarperCollins, 2012) about an emotionally abused but athletically gifted 13-year-old. Staccato pacing coupled with distinct and persuasive descriptions of football characterize Green's style as both writer and narrator. A victim of the worse kind of foster parents, Harrison is essentially enslaved until a freak accident and an exceptionally kind counselor get him placed in a foster home with a childless couple who always wanted a boy like him. As new parents, the Kelly's patience and unconditional love toward Harrison are almost as unlikely as their convenient occupations as junior high football coach and lawyer. Once his life improves, Harrison is sure his good fortune can't last and waits for his regular bad luck to recur. And it does, in the form of bone cancer that requires the amputation of his leg the week before his football team is set to compete in the state championship. Harrison's anger, frustration, and pain are tangible. The Kelly's friend, Major Bauer, who has a similar amputation, comes to train Harrison to deal with his handicap and redevelop his athletic prowess. While Major Bauer and Ms. Kelly argue about giving Harrison false hope that he can play football again, Harrison must find his own peace. Green's narration is well-paced and engaging. Although the story is melodramatic and stretches the suspension of disbelief, it will attract sports fans.-Janet Thompson, West Belmont Branch Library, Chicago Public Library, IL

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