FICTION
Jaden’s Pick
LJ’s Pick
Football Hero by Tim Green is a book mainly directed toward middle school and early high school students, but if you’re a sports fan, it’s an amazing read no matter your age or grade. It follows a high schooler named Ty Lewis who’s trying to move up the ranks and become a world-class recruit. His dream is to one day be as big as his older brother, “Tiger” Lewis, a rising NFL star. But Ty’s path isn’t easy, his Uncle Gus gets caught up in an illegal gambling ring and drags Ty into it, forcing him to work instead of focusing on football. Will Ty make the NFL just like his brother?
Overall, Tim Green is my all-time favorite author, bringing back hints of nostalgia every time one of his books are mentioned—It reminds me of my middle school days, back when I would sit in class, flipping through the pages of his books, completely absorbed by action-packed, exciting stories. He has a way of mixing sports with suspense and real-life problems that made reading fun. Football Hero is no different—it’s packed with action, and it keeps you hooked the whole way through.
Fredrik Backman has been taking the shelves by storm as of late — I don’t feel like I have to tell you to read Beartown or A Man Called Ove, even though you should. This one is a little less popular, but it’s a favorite of mine — it follows an oddball seven-year-old girl, Elsa, who is reeling from the loss of her beloved grandmother. Her grandmother has left behind a fantastical imaginary kingdom, as well as several letters apologizing to people she has wronged, which Elsa is now tasked with delivering. The narration explores complicated interpersonal dynamics through the non-judgmental eyes of a child, displaying that deeply kind and compassionate emotional core that Backman absolutely excels at.