Amazon.com: Fighting Tackle (Matt Christopher Sports Classics) (9780316137942): Matt Christopher: Books

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996 | Series: Matt Christopher Sports Classics (Book 49)

Nicky, born with Down's syndrome, surprises his older brother, Terry, when he shows up one day on the football field as Terry's competition. Reprint. SLJ.

#outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } Nicky, born with Down's syndrome, surprises his older brother, Terry, when he shows up one day on the football field as Terry's competition. Reprint. SLJ.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?This is one of Christopher's better sports-theme books. The differences between it and the others are the main character's loving interaction with his younger brother, who has Down's syndrome, and the surprise plot turn in the last chapter. Terry, a football player, encourages his little brother to practice running for the Special Olympics, but he feels uncomfortable when Nicky reciprocates by continuously cheering him on when he's on the football field. Terry's embarrassment is compounded by his disappointment at being switched from safety to nose tackle. He has trouble accepting that his body is growing and changing?he's not as fast as he once was, but now he's stronger and bigger. With hard work, he finally succeeds in his new position. The tension between the siblings culminates when their father is injured in an accident, and both boys must work together to help him. The conclusion is satisfying.?Blair Christolon, Prince William Library, Manassas, VA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Christopher's sports stories have a dedicated following among middle-school readers who enjoy the author's easy-to-read texts and his relaxed melding of sports and serious issues. This book doesn't deviate from that comfortable pattern. Terry McFee is shocked when his coach moves him from his usual position at safety to that of nose tackle. He prides himself on his quickness, agility, and past performance and fears he will not be as valuable in an unfamiliar position. It's difficult for him to accept his coach's explanation that his recent growth spurt has affected his speed, even when he discovers that it is true. Equally unsettling is his recognition that his younger brother Nicky, who has Down syndrome, is developing into a talented runner who can regularly outdistance him. Jealousy then threatens the brothers' once close relationship. Christopher provides only a brief explanation of Down syndrome, but his portrayal of Nicky is realistic, and because Terry's age is never given, readers older than the target age-group may enjoy the story. Chris Sherman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Matt Christopher Page

Matthew F. Christopher was born on August 16, 1917, in Bath, Pa. He was the oldest of nine children and a talented athlete, playing baseball, football and soccer in high school. He became interested in writing at the age of 14 and in 1940 had his first story published in a detective magazine. He began writing children's books in the mid 1950's with the publication of THE LUCKY BASEBALL BAT (Little, Brown and Company).

Christopher became well-known for his sports fiction novels for children with over 130 titles bearing his name. He was awarded numerous writing honors from state organizations as well as the 1993 Milner Award. Besides books, he had about 275 short stories and articles published in over 65 children and adult magazines over the years. He is considered America's best selling sports book author.

Matt Christopher and his wife Cay were the parents of four children and the grandparents of ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He died in 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina.