Game Change by Joseph Monninger - OPTIONAL

Game Change by Joseph Monninger, 225 pages, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017, $18.

Language: R (54 swears, 11 “f”); Mature Content PG-13 (sexual references); Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE

17yo Zeb Holloway is the back-up quarterback to the most talented QB in his high school’s history, T.T. Munroe.  Zeb has had limited playing time in his team’s undefeated season until T.T. sustains a leg injury one week before the state championship game.  Zeb is suddenly thrust into the limelight and must take on the role of team leader.  The novel covers the seven days from T.T.’s injury to the state playoff game. 

Zeb’s character grows as he comes to grips with his humble living conditions and family dynamics in New Hampshire’s backwoods.  The dialogue is stilted, but maybe that’s how football coaches talk.  There was some nice tension building to game time.  This is a coming of age story about a kid who has a lot riding on his shoulders and what one football game might mean, so there isn’t a ton of football action.  If you’ve ever been swept up in the drama of high school sports or just finding your way in the world, you’ll want to catch this, but if you’re looking for blow-by-blow game highlights, it’s a first down. 

Michelle in the Middle