Saturday, September 17, 2011

Pop by Gordon Korman



The Gist:  Marcus Jordan, new kid in town, finds a football drilling buddy in a middle-aged man, Charlie, who just shows up and disappears with no explanation.  Despite the man's odd behavior, Marcus soon finds himself a starting position on a team seeking their second straight perfect season thanks to what he has learned.

Charlie's full-blast tackles may set Marcus' head ringing, but he is learning to be the best football player that he can be. There's just one problem...or two...or three: Charlie gets him in trouble with the law, Charlie is the father of Marcus' arch enemy, and Charlie's family has a secret. 

Opinion if you Please:  I'm giving this book 3.5 stars.

This book is SO MUCH MORE than a kid fighting for a starting position on a top-notch football team.  There are definitely moments where I felt like this was beyond reality (Shop owners really allow Charlie to walk in and back out with stuff and not at least stop at the counter to tally up what he owes?? No one catches Marcus or Charlie "sugaring" the exterminator shop??). 

I didn't think I would love this book, but after finishing it in one sitting...you could say it drew me in!  Without giving away too much, there was one unexpected, emotional moment that caught me off guard.  Any book that can bring out an emotional response (whether that be anger, utter joy, despair, etc), earns a thumbs up from me.

Extras:


Read the first chapter

Author's Website

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