Game Day (Paula Wiseman Books) [Hardcover]

Tiki Barber (Author), Ronde Barber (Author), Barry Root (Illustrator), Robert Burleigh (Contributor)

Book Description

Series: Paula Wiseman Books

Ronde and Tiki are a team. They are twins, they are each other's best friends and biggest fans, and they play on the same football team, the Cave Spring Vikings. Ronde is #21 and Tiki is #22, always side by side.

Tiki has had seven long touch-down runs this season, and Ronde is proud of his brother, but he can't help feeling a little down when Tiki gets all the glory. If Ronde hadn't been leading the way with his blocks, Tiki wouldn't have been clear to score. Ronde thinks nobody notices the guy who blocks; they only notice the guy who scores. Will the day ever come when Ronde will get his chance?

Written by two NFL superstars, this story of perseverance and teamwork will inspire. Barry Root's glowing illustrations bring to life all the excitement and energy of a great game and a team working together.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3–The Barber twins, both NFL superstars, teamed up with Burleigh to write an engaging memoir that touches on themes of cooperation and individual differences. When the brothers played football in their hometown Pee Wee league, a local reporter interviewed them and seemed to focus his attention on Tiki, the touchdown hero. Ronde knew his brother could not score without his own strong defense clearing the way, but no one seemed to notice his skill. Feeling jealous and unappreciated, Ronde finally gained perspective on his contributions when he was sidelined with a minor injury. However, it was Tiki who showed him the meaning of teamwork. Root's rich illustrations, done in watercolor and gouache, realistically portray the action. This book is sure to be of interest to young athletes, but the lessons of self-acceptance and working together to contribute to the success of the group are universally valuable. Use this title to spark discussions of personal strengths and abilities.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. The Barber twins, who are both NFL players, tell a story with themselves as the heroes. Set in their childhood, the tale introduces Tiki and Ronde playing on the Cave Spring Vikings. Tiki gets the glory, running for the long touchdowns, but Ronde is a dedicated blocker who makes the plays happen. Despite Ronde's importance, his supporting role gets a little old, especially after Tiki is interviewed for the newspaper. But the coach has a surprise for Ronde; he concocts a sneak play in which the ball is passed to Ronde, who is then able to run for the touchdown. Though simplistic, the story will still appeal to football fans, most of whom will easily identify with the out-of-the-spotlight Ronde. (Actually, they'll probably identify most with the other Vikings, who don't get their own play.) Root's artwork, with its bright blue uniforms and green, green grass, seems stiff in some of the action scenes; it's better in the more intimate family moments. What works best here is the feel-good mood--the anticipation, the excitement of the game, and the thrill of victory. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (August 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416900934
• ISBN-13: 978-1416900931
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The true story of the famous twin football players, November 24, 2005

By 

Corinne H. Smith (Athol, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Game Day (Paula Wiseman Books) (Hardcover)

Young Tiki and Ronde Barber play football for their hometown team in Virginia. Tiki often gets the ball and scores more often than Ronde, who is feeling a bit neglected and overlooked as a result. His blocks help Tiki score. Why don't people recognize that fact? His mother and his coach are fortunately of the mindset that every effort is worthwhile and that teamwork is what wins games and spells success. Ronde feels some of that spirit by the end of the story.

This book therefore attempts to battle the prevailing stereotype, perpetuated by the sports media and by such movies as "Jerry Maguire," that marquee players deserve all the glory (and by extension, the big paychecks). That's a tough hurdle to overcome. That the importance-of-teamwork message is coming from two players who have found success is admirable. We can only hope that the authors are sincere and that young folks take what they say to heart.

Several potential audiences come to mind for "Game Day:" Giants fans of all ages, Buccaneers fans of all ages, and youngsters who are just beginning to play and / or watch the game. Knowledge of basic football strategy is helpful to understand the storyline, so readers are apt to be a bit older than the usual target of children's picture books. "Game Day" won't appeal to everyone, but those who are attracted to it may learn an important lesson. They might even wish that the Barbers still played on the same team.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good story about family ;-), January 11, 2006

By 

Little Miss Cutey (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Game Day (Paula Wiseman Books) (Hardcover)

What a really cute book. I got this for my little nephew who loves it. The pictures are lovely and so well done, and the story is real. It is about family and being there for each other. Of course there is the sport which will keep all kids entertained. It's a great effort from a (cute) very talented Giant of the game. Especially good for little boys, they will want you to read this over and over.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended - They did it again!, April 10, 2006

By 

Dahlia Drake - See all my reviews

This review is from: Game Day (Paula Wiseman Books) (Hardcover)

I ran out and bought this book for my 7 year old son after getting their first book- By My Brother's Side.

This book is equally engaging and oh so sweet as it deals with the theme of teamwork.

Young Ronde feels overlooked as the defensive powerhouse who enables Tiki to go for long runs and make all the touchdowns. Ronde finally gets a chance to be in the spotlight with the help of his coach and his mother when he gets to run the ball in for a touchdown.

This book points out that we all have our roles to play in life and we don't always get recognized. Yet, that is no excuse for us to pity ourselves, and we should still 'Play Proud' as Mrs. Barber always told her sons.

I hope they write more books like this.