Football Hero (Football Genius #2)

by Tim Green (Author)

Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade
Series: Football Genius

Success comes with risk and a high price in this thrilling standalone football novel from New York Times bestselling author and former NFL player Tim Green. Perfect for fans of Mike Lupica.

Ever since Ty Lewis was orphaned and forced to stay with his legal guardian, Uncle Gus, he's always wanted to prove how fast he is on a football field and be like his older brother, Thane "Tiger" Lewis, who's about to graduate from college--and is being courted by the NFL.

But instead of playing football, he's scrubbing bathrooms after school for his uncle's cleaning service. Thane is the only bright spot in Ty's life. And now Uncle Gus wants to use Ty to get to him and obtain valuable insider information for a local mob boss called "Lucy" and his gambling ring.

Can Ty break free to save not only Thane's football career, but his life?

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School Library Journal

In this novel by a former NFL star, middle schooler Ty Lewis is going through a tough time following the death of his parents. He has been taken in by his aunt and uncle, but they treat him badly, dressing him in hand-me-downs, making him sleep on a mattress on the floor of the laundry room, and forcing him to use a portable toilet in the backyard even though there is a bathroom in the house. Ty is having problems at school as well, where his appearance, social status, and bookishness lead to his being bullied. Through all his troubles, he is buoyed by his faith in his older brother, who is an All-American college football player soon to sign a lucrative pro contract. Ty has his own dreams of football glory after being recruited by the middle school coach, who has noticed that Ty is the fastest boy in the sixth grade. His plans are derailed, however, when his uncle makes him work after school in his cleaning business. After Thane signs his pro contract, Uncle Gus's organized-crime associates press Ty for inside information on injured players on Thane's team, which he innocently supplies. This gets both brothers in trouble with the FBI, but they cooperate with authorities and all ends well. While there are some implausible elements (including Ty's overpowering a crowbar-wielding mafia hitman), the novel is briskly paced and undemanding, and might be a good bet for sports-minded reluctant readers."Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT" Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Even better than Football Genius...lots of fast-moving action and suspense...sure to be a hit."—KLIATT starred review
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9780061122767
Lexile Measure
840
Guided Reading Level
Y
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
March 24, 2009
Series
Football Genius
BISAC categories
JUV032030 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Football
Library of Congress categories
New York (N.Y.)
Family life
Conduct of life
Brothers
New Jersey
Football
Mafia
Young Hoosier Book Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011

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