Pop: A Memoir

Shortly after moving to a new town, Marcus encounters Charlie, a strange, middle-aged man who turns out to be an incredible football player. Marcus, hoping to be a varsity quarterback at his new school, begins meeting Charlie regularly. Charlie is a challenging and rewarding opponent, but there are mysteries about him that plague Marcus (It was annoying, but waiting to see if Charlie was going to show up soon became Marcus's personal reality TV show). Most puzzling: For some reason, he thought he was a teenager, too. At school, Marcus loses the quarterback position to school hero TroyCharlie's son. Troy is oddly guarded about his father, but Marcus eventually figures out Charlie's secret: the repeated blows the former NFL player received resulted in early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Korman ("The Juvie Three") skillfully weaves football terminology into the narrative without making it sound like a playbook, and Marcus's heartfelt loyalty to Charlie is believable, if the plotting is occasionally less so. Despite the athletic focus, this thought-provoking story is, at its core, about friendship and should have broad appeal. Ages 12up. "(Sept.)" Copyright 2009 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

Gr 9 Up "Pop" is the imagined, internal sound of the perfect football tackle, as new-kid-in-town Marcus finds out the hard way from a hit by an ex-NFL linebacker. Middle-aged but possessing what at first seems to be a harmless, young-at-heart attitude, Charlie Popovich becomes Marcus's friend, mentor, and partner in crime for an elaborate (and hilarious) prank. Unfortunately, their relationship only increases the contentious atmosphere between Marcus and Charlie's son. Already vying for the school's starting quarterback position and the affection of the head cheerleader, Marcus finds that matters become even more complicated when he learns that Charlie's erratic behavior is caused by early-onset Alzheimer's. Korman offers a touching and realistic portrayal of an Alzheimer patient's episodes, the emotional roller coaster of the disease's effect on loved ones, and the naive yet endearing arrogance of a teen who wants to do what is best for his friend. Marcus must make some hard decisions, whether during the frenzied action of a football play or surrounded by family members whose hearts are about to break. Readers will stick by him in this absorbing story of both action and emotion."Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library" Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Funny, poignant and full of football action, POP hits you hard and doesn't let up."—Tim Green, author of the New York Times bestselling Football Genius and Football Champ