Backfield Package [Hardcover]

Thomas J. Dygard (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Joe Mitchell is Hillcrest High's star quarterback. When he and his three football friends first agree to attend the same college next year and keep the backfield intact, it seems like a terrific idea to Joe. So what if the only school offering all four of them football scholarships is small and little-known Ryder State College? At least he'll get to play winning ball with his friends for four more years!

But as the football season progresses, a college scout from bigleague Randolph University appears in the stands to watch Joe play. Then a sportswriter credits him with almost single-handedly carrying Hillcrest High to its victories, and letters from top football schools start coming in. Now Joe begins to wonder if his decision to go to Ryder State just to stick with his friends was too hasty, and whether, just maybe, his first loyalty should have been to his potential. But what can he do about it now -- a promise is a promise, right?

Exciting you-are-there football action and compelling conflicts on and off the field make Backfield Package an undisputed winner.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10-- This story centers around four se niors who make up the offensive backfield for their high school football team. These team mates and close friends decide early in the sea son that they will continue their football careers together as a ``package'' at a small state col lege. A conflict arises when Joe, the quarter back and protagonist, begins receiving interest from a major college. Suddenly, he realizes that his skills will present him with greater possibili ties than his less talented mates. The focus is on Joe's dilemma between loyalty to his friends and his desire to succeed. He is supported by his parents and coach, who believe that he should explore all available options. Dygard writes in his typical style, interspersing accurate and ex citing game description within the plot. The climatic game and Joe's ultimate decision are paralleled in the final chapter, and while readers might be able to predict the outcome of one, a surprise is also in store. While female characters are all but nonexistent, and the adults (other than the coach) are developed only slightly, Backfield Package is a fine read for its intended audience--sports-minded young adults. --Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

In His Own Words...

"I can't remember when I first started writing fiction. it was shortly after I began reading fiction, I'm sure.

"I've been a voracious reader for as long as I can remember. As a teenager, I read a lot of the same kinds of books I'm writing-the John R. Tunis sports stories, for example. I also read a lot of history when I was young-and I still do now. It's always fascinated me.

"When I was a high school senior, I was offered two jobs, both of the apprentice sort. One was in a commercial artist's studio, on a recommendation from my art teacher. The other was in the sports department of the local newspaper, following work on the school paper. I took the sportswriting job.

"For four years I worked for the Arkansas Gazette while attending the University of Arkansas, first at Little Rock and then at Fayetteville, covering football, baseball, basketball, boxing, golf, tennis-everything that made up the sports page. After graduation, I joined the Associated Press as a newsman at Little Rock and later worked in AP bureaus in Detroit, Birmingham, and New Orleans. Eventually, I was Chief of Bureau in Little Rock, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Tokyo, Japan. I retired from the Associated Press in 1993 and now live in Evansville, Indiana.

"For me, writing fiction is fun, relaxing, and satisfying-an enjoyable change of pace, a recharging of the batteries.

"My first young adult novel, Running Scared, got started one night in a motel room in Champaign, Illinois, when I had nothing else to do. Before long, the story had me in its grip. The creation of the thing was a fascinating experience. I liked the characters. I liked leading them through their problems to their triumphs. I kept going until one day it was finished.

"I did not set out to write for young people. Looking back, I think it was something of a blessing that 1 did not. As I wrote Running Scared, I imagined the reader as an adult, but after it was finished, it seemed more appropriate for young readers. The result, I think, was that the story did not talk down to teenagers. In every book I've written since, I've tried to keep the same approach."

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (September 21, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688114717
• ISBN-13: 978-0688114718
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,285,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Backfield package, November 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Backfield Package (Hardcover)

Will Joe keep his word to the backfield package, or will he follow his own promising football career? Thomas Dygard scores a touchdown with Backfield Package, another well-written football story.
In this excellent football thriller, Joe Mitchell and his three football friends Tracy, Coley, and Lew decide after their junior year in highschool when they win the conference to all attend Ryder State for college and football. But as Joe gets widely recruited by big name colleges, he starts to weigh his options, and his friends' parents start to think it may be better for them to split up. He has to make his decision after he complete their senior football season.
Sporadically, the novel was great. Most of the time though, it was only good, primarily because it was edgy about things, and the novel started suddenly and ended suddenly. My recommendations for this book would be: young adults ages 10-16 and people whole like and know the game of football. If you liked Halfback Pass, also by Dygard, this is sure to be on your favorite list.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 30 year old man!!!, April 16, 2002

By 

Heiadf (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backfield Package (Hardcover)

For my book report I choose a book called "Backfield Package." I picked this book because I'm interested in sports and I felt as if it was an appropriate book for me to read. The author of this book is Thomas J. Dygard. He began his career as a sportswriter for the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and joined the Associated Press (AP) in 1954. Since then he has worked in many other AP offices around the country. Currently he is Bureau Chief in Tokyo, Japan.
Characters
The book consists of four high school football players characters and a few other important characters. The main character is Joe Mitchell. Joe is the Quarterback for the Hillcrest Cardinals. His father managed the Hillcrest Water Works. He earned a solid living. Not a luxury living, but a comfortable life. Joe's grades were good enough to satisfy almost any college entrance. Then there is Tracy Jackson the Cardinals' wide receiver. Money never seemed to be a problem in the Jackson household. Tracy's father was the President of the Hillcrest State Bank. Coley Brewster, the small running back. Coley making excellent grades probably could get a scholarship without football. The last of the four players is Lew Preston, the tallest of the four was a powerfully built fullback. Lew on the other hand had terrible grades. Barbara Landford, a pretty blonde who plays tennis for the Hillcrest High tennis team. Coley was quick but not strong; Lew was strong but not quick. Joe was quick and strong. Tracy was a step slow going out for a pass or running the ball.
Settings
The story takes place in a small town called Hillcrest, Illinois sometime in the 1990's. The settings take place in Ellie's Café, at the football fields, at school, and at Joe's and Tracy's house. The four of them hangout at Ellie's Café on Saturday mornings. It's also where Barbara Landford comes into the story. The Cardinals practice at their field and played

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this BOOK(AND REVIEW)!!!!!, February 22, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Backfield Package (Hardcover)

This book will keep you asking when the next book will be published by Thomas J. Dygard. The book involved an internal conflict between Joe and the decesion on where to go to college.There is also an external conflict between Joe and the rest of the team because of a article printed, by the editor without Joe's permission, in the paper. To find out more about the conflict and action of the story, you will have to read the book. If anything, believe me when I say this was the best book that I have read this past two years. So trust me when I say, you should read this book.Thanks!