16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hampton's a Winner, August 18, 2007
My friends might be surprised that I read a book that wasn't a fantasy, let alone a sports book, but good writing transcends genre and subject matter, and Knights of the Hill Country is very good writing. The best thing about this book is narrator Hampton Green's voice, which gives a whole new meaning to that overused expression, "pitch-perfect." I was just wondering this morning if I was a little too harsh in a couple of recent reviews, and then I read this book and felt justified by the difference in quality! Talk about a dimensional character--teenage football player Hampton is SUCH a real and unique person, his voice colored by a regional tone which simply adds to the story telling.
Hampton plays football on a virtually unbeatable high school team because his best friend Blaine and Blaine's father have taught him to play hard and well. Over the years, Hampton has relied heavily on those relationships, with his own father gone and his mother largely unavailable. But during Hampton's senior year, he finds himself becoming aware of a disconnect between his vision of the world and Blaine's outlook on life. Hampton thinks of himself as slow, but he's starting to realize that it's not because he's stupid; instead, he mulls things over. Unlike Blaine, Hampton has trouble expressing his thoughts on the spot.
Hampton gradually becomes disillusioned with being a follower, particularly Blaine's follower. The fact that Hampton has turned out to be a very good football player, while Blaine is held back by an untreated knee injury, is one reason for the conflict--a frustrated and envious Blaine puts a strain on Hampton's straightforward loyalty with his increasingly irrational demands. Among other things, Blaine tries to put a stop to Hampton's interest in a girl Blaine feels isn't sufficiently popular and good-looking. But Hampton's relationship with Sara helps him to think in new ways and break Blaine's hold over him. Hampton wisely realizes that he can love football and play to win without neglecting other possibilities and joys in life.
All of this growth is shown in the context of Hampton and Blaine's activities at school, on dates, and especially during football games. The sports scenes are particularly well written, given greater meaning by Hampton's take on the game. (I like how Hampton ruefully contrasts his ability to make exactly the right moves in football with his inability to say the right things in social settings.)
The book's pivotal moment shows that Hampton's deep loyalty to Blaine can move him to do something which, while it infuriates Blaine, saves Blaine from himself. In a very satisfying evolution, seemingly passive Hampton becomes the action-taker--and we realize that his integrity has given his "still waters" choices increasing power, in contrast to Blaine's frenetically petty mistakes. I highly recommend Knights of the Hill Country. When I updated my program's library, I didn't find very many excellent sports-centered YA novels, but this one definitely earns a place on that shelf.
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15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Richie's Picks: KNIGHTS OF THE HILL COUNTRY, October 19, 2006
What is this world coming to? Two football stories worth my talking about in the same year? What is next -- me out there barbecuing tofu at a tailgate party?
Back when Hampton Green was nine years old, his father abandoned the family. Hampton and his mom had moved downstate to a modest rental in Kennisaw, Oklahoma. Mom landed a job in a store and, in the ensuing years, has gone through a series of boyfriends. During those years she has never been there emotionally for Hampton.
Hampton's salvation since moving to Kennisaw had been his long friendship with Blaine Keller. A generation ago Blaine's dad had been part of the Kennisaw Knights high school football team that went undefeated for five straight years. Blaine and his dad taught Hampton the game of football and now the two friends are seniors and stars on this generation's miracle Knights team, aiming at completing their own fifth undefeated season to match that legendary streak of the past.
But Blaine has been trying to hide from the adults how badly his knee was injured in a game at the end of the previous season. It becomes painfully clear to us that the increasingly bitter Blaine Keller -- with his unforgiving father on his back -- is not going to achieve the greatness beyond high school that he's got all his chips riding on. Meanwhile, the big, redheaded, six foot-four Hampton is only getting better as he continues to develop his unmatched intuitive sense of the game.
Unfortunately, Hampton doesn't have the same intuitive sense when it comes to school assignments or to talking with girls. But on the plus side, despite being in the position to ride Blaine's coattails and consort with the most popular girls at school, Hampton has developed a quiet admiration for a shy yet articulate girl with baggy clothes named Sara Reynolds whom, thanks to her wild hair, the popular kids scathingly refer to as Bush Girl.
It is Sara who has some important things to teach Hampton.
"Darnell didn't see how nobody with an ounce of brains could fight for the Confederates and Lana said she had ancestors that was on the South's side and they was fighting for a way of life and old-fashion family values.
"Darnell turned over to me. 'Can you believe this girl, Hamp? You explain it to her. I'm wore out.'
" 'I don't know that much about it,' I said. looking down. Last thing I wanted to do was get balled up in a controversy. As good of a fighter as I was on the football field, I hated a argument in civilian life. Darnell was my best friend after Blaine and he was black, so I wasn't about to take the South's side, but I didn't want to hurt Lana's feelings neither. Besides, I didn't know but what Sara might have some relatives from the South somewheres along the line too.
"Darnell threw up his hands. 'How about you Sara? You're smart. Let me ask you. Was slavery wrong?'
" 'Of course,' she said.
" 'Well, then, let me ask you another thing. What reason could anyone have for fighting on a side that wants to own slaves?'
"Sara was quiet for a moment, her long lashes shading down over her eyes. 'Well,' she said finally, 'I guess a lot of folks want to be part of a side so much they just go along with what their side says is right.'
" 'Even when it's really wrong,' Darnell threw in.
" 'That's just it,' Sara said. 'Some people don't know who they really are themselves, so how are they going to know what they think is right or wrong?'"
One of the seminal themes in young adult literature involves adolescent characters learning to speak, and to speak up, as they create their own voices and identities. Hampton's innocence and blind loyalty to Blaine have totally impeded his ability to develop that individual identity and voice, but with the end of high school in sight we are rooting loudly for this big, goodhearted Oklahoma kid with his "durns," "done alreadys," and folksy metaphors, to heed Sara's lessons and become his own person.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Knights Of The Hill Country, May 1, 2008
5 undefeated season. For any sports team that hard to accomplish. For the Kennisaw Knights it would be the second time in the school history. Can the Kennisaw Knights do it?
Star of the team Hampton Green started playing football as a young kid. His best friend Blaine Keller and his father got him into football. Ever since they started playing together they dreamed of playing for the Kennisaw Knights there hometown high school football team. Now their time has come. Every Friday night they walk onto the field with the team just like they dreamed of years ago, but this year is more special then they could have ever imagined. They are playing for a fifth straight undefeated season. This has only been done once before in the schools history. They get to a great start by winning there first game, but some conflicts arise. Blaine doesn't approve of the girl Hampton is trying to date. Blaine also begins to get a "large head". He believes that he is the best at everything and whatever he says goes. When Blaines hip begins to bother him and it affects his performance on the field, he starts to get agitated. With all the drama off the field and the legacy they are trying to live up to, can the Kinnisaw Knights go down in history?
Why should anyone want to read this? First, the book is extremely action packed. There is never a dull moment when sports action or off the field drama isn't happening. Secondly, the story is a pretty fast read. There aren't any concepts that take time to think about and the wording is not hard to understand. Even thought the book is over 200 pages, with all the action you dont really want to put the book down. Lastly, this book can appeal to just about anyone who likes football. The main parts of the book are about football so if you dont like football I wouldn't suggest reading it.
In conclusion this book is filled with action, both football action and everyday high school drama. It keeps your interest very well as there is never a dull moment and you are always wanting more. So if your into football and want to read a good book check it out.
Taylor "TG" Gerhart
Mrs. Bain's Block 3 class
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