Football Hero: A Football Genius Novel [Hardcover]

Tim Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 22, 2008 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Football Genius

Ty Lewis can't believe it when Coach V recruits him for the football team. This is Ty's big chance to prove how fast he is on the field, get a fresh start in a new school, and be like his older brother, Thane "Tiger" Lewis, who's about to graduate from college—and is being courted by the NFL.

But Ty's guardian, Uncle Gus, won't let him play. Uncle Gus needs Ty to scrub floors and toilets for his cleaning business while he cooks up gambling schemes with the local mob boss, a man called "Lucy."

When Lucy hears just how famous Ty's older brother is, he becomes suddenly friendly. Are the questions Lucy is asking Ty really about fantasy football . . . or is the Mafia using Ty to get valuable insider info from his superstar brother? Desperately worried, Ty must come up with a plan to save Thane's football career—and, ultimately, his life.

Author of the New York Times bestselling Football Genius, former NFL player Tim Green will have you on the edge of your seat rooting for Ty—and enjoying an up-close look at what it's like to be inside the NFL.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—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
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Review

“Instantly gripping...[keeps] the tension level high and the pages flipping furiously...sure to have a great many fans.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Even better than Football Genius...lots of fast-moving action and suspense...sure to be a hit.” (KLIATT starred review )

“[B]riskly paced, ... a good bet for sports-minded reluctant readers.” (School Library Journal )

“[T]he moral choices faced by the hero are heart-wrenchingly realistic, while the detailed description of the world surrounding the life of a professional football player will appeal to the many fans of the sport.” (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061122742
• ISBN-13: 978-0061122743
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tim is the NY TIMES BESTSELLING author of fourteen highly successful suspense novels, including soon-to-be-released FALSE CONVICTIONS and national bestseller ABOVE THE LAW, as well the non-fiction New York Times Bestseller, THE DARK SIDE OF THE GAME which was featured on CBS's 60 Minutes. His last five novels have all been national bestsellers hitting the charts between #22 and #30 on the NY Times Bestseller list. While his first five novels used professional football as their backdrop, his most recent works have drawn more on his experiences as a lawyer exploring the themes of ambition and revenge.

Tim is also the author of a memoir entitled A MAN AND HIS MOTHER: AN ADOPTED SON'S SEARCH which was featured in PEOPLE magazine, Entertainment Tonight, and ABC's Prime Time.
His writing career began at Syracuse University where he was a Rossman Scholar for Humanities, a Syracuse Scholar, an NCAA Top Six Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa, and co-valedictorian of his class. While studying English Literature, Tim became acquainted with the renowned minimalist Raymond Carver, and had the opportunity to study under the award-winning writer and professor Tobias Wolff.

During his studies, Tim also played football for the Syracuse Orangemen with a career that included a consensus All-American honors as well as his recent induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. In 1986, he was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons where he was a star defensive end for eight years. During his NFL career, Green began his thirteen year career as a commentator for National Public Radio, wrote columns for USA Today, and received his law degree with honors at Syracuse University. Because of his accomplishments both Sports Illustrated and the Los Angeles Times have called Tim Green the "Renaissance Man" of sports. After his playing career, Tim spent eleven years as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports and recently hosted FOX's nationally syndicated news magazine, A Current Affair. His other broadcast experiences have included ABC Good Morning America's legal commentator, Court TV's Pros and Cons, host of FOX Sports Net's Emmy nominated show NFL TOTAL ACCESS, and Comedy Central's Battlebots. Recently, Tim hosted the ABC Prime Time reality show, FIND MY FAMILY.
In 2007, Tim wrote FOOTBALL GENIUS, his first novel for young readers, and an instant NY Times Bestseller. The success and enjoyment of working with his own kids on the project resulted in FOOTBALL HERO, which was released in 2008. In both novels, Tim models the main characters after his own children, submerging them into a suspenseful world that blends adolescent life and sports with the visceral realm of the NFL. FOOTBALL HERO was selected as a Junior Library Guild choice and a GMA summer page turner for young adults. Most recently he released BASEBALL GREAT, another NY Times Bestseller, as well as FOOTBALL CHAMP. Tim's newest young reader novel, RIVALS, will be released in stores in March 2010.
Tim lives with his wife, Illyssa, and their five children in upstate New York. More information about Tim can be found at his Web site www.timgreenbooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Young Reader Book From Tim Green, October 2, 2008

By 

Healthy Writer (West Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Football Hero: A Football Genius Novel (Hardcover)

Writer Wellness: A Writer's Path to Health and Creativity

Other reviewers have done a great job explaining the plot of "Football Hero" by Tim Green. Anyone who reads this book will enjoy the story and the satisfying "good guys win with a compromise" ending. What is just as valuable is Green's writing style for young readers and the voice he projects in this title and last year's book "Football Genius."

Green has experience writing adult thrillers and non-fiction about life in the National Football League. Young readers get to partake of his writing talents and skill with all things literary by reading his new books. The language is accessible, the chapters are comfortable and managable in length, and the action is well considered. Green turns a not so good situation for a teenaged boy who has lost his family into a winning final score by giving young Ty Lewis a conscience. His choices to do the right thing are influenced by his older brother Thane's sage like stories of advice and this brings them closer while they are healing over the loss of their parents. There are many brotherhoods featured in "Football Hero" and Green prioritizes them so that readers understand that brothers can and should be able to count on each other for anything.

Teachers, librarians, and parents looking for something to encourage boys 8-12 to read will be pleased with Green's books.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, April 23, 2008

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Football Hero: A Football Genius Novel (Hardcover)

Ty Lewis' parents have died in an accident, so he has gone to live with his dad's sister, Aunt Virginia, and Uncle Gus. Ty's older brother is Thane (aka Tiger) Lewis, a hopeful NFL first-round draft pick from Syracuse University. Thane and Ty are close, but because Thane is finishing up his college degree, Ty is forced to remain with his aunt and uncle.

Living with his aunt and uncle is horrible. Ty remembers the loving home he came from, and misses his parents terribly. His relatives make him sleep on a stained mattress on the floor in the laundry room. His uncle has scavenged an old Porta Potti that he forces Ty to use instead of the indoor plumbing. And now it's his twelfth birthday. Ty doesn't expect anything exciting, and it's even worse than he thought possible. His uncle presents him with a work permit allowing Ty to work for the family cleaning business. So while Ty and his cousin, Charlotte, spend their evenings after school scrubbing toilets and floors, his uncle sits back and drinks beer and socializes.

Ty has two shining spots in his life: his brother, Thane, and the chance to play on his middle school football team. Ty is fast and has sure hands. Coach V has great plans for Ty for the upcoming season. But his Uncle Gus does everything he can to keep Ty from playing football and away from his brother.

Then, Thane gets his draft pick and is worth millions. Uncle Gus enters into illegal gambling with the mafia, and Ty and Thane are the unwitting pawns. With the intervention of the FBI, Ty may come out better or worse than he started. But you have to read the story to see how the plot twists and turns.

I admit that I have never heard of Mr. Green before reading this story. Mostly because I will be honest and say I am not a fan of football. I go out of my way to avoid any game that may be on TV. But Mr. Green's story sounded exciting and thrilling. The story moved fast and had plots outside of football to interest those beyond the sports fans. This book will easily have appeal to boys ages 10 to 100. The reader will be satisfied to see that the underdog does come out on top in the end!

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Football Hero, November 29, 2010

By 

Reese M - See all my reviews

This review is from: Football Hero (Hardcover)

Football Hero is a modern day story that takes place in New Jersey about a boy named Ty. Ty is 12 years old and has a brother named Thane who is a great college football player. Both of his parents died in a car accident, so he lives with his Uncle Gus. Uncle Gus is very mean to Ty and is involved in a Mafia-related gambling ring. In the beginning of this book, Thane is drafted by the New York Jets. When Uncle Gus tells this to a man named Lucy, who is also involved with the Mafia, he wants to use Ty to make money. His plan is to use Ty to get information about the players on the Jets who are injured and can't play, then sell that information to people with fantasy football teams. Ty doesn't want to lie to Thane but he is forced to, so every Friday night Thane and Ty go out to dinner which is where Ty asks him about the injured players. Eventually they get caught when the Mafia are the only people to know that Thane is injured for the Jets' game against the Bengals. People find out and so many people bet on the Bengals when the Jets are expected to win, the police know that something is wrong. Ty and Thane don't want Uncle Gus to go to jail so they talk him into cooperating with the police so he is off the hook. However, Lucy is arrested so Uncle Gus goes into the Witness Protection Program so the Mafia doesn't find him and kill him and Ty gets to live with Thane.

I thought Football Hero was exciting and fun to read. Tim Green's (the author) experience in the NFL as a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons gives you a good idea about what it's like in the locker rooms before, during, and after the game. I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone, especially football fans.