Second Stringer [Hardcover]

Thomas J. Dygard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1998

When Warren High's star quarterback is injured during the season opener, Kevin Taylor takes over the position. There's only one problem: Kevin has been used to watching the plays from the sidelines, not leading them from the line of scrimmage. Page-turning sports action and compelling personal drama make this another winner from popular sports novelist Thomas Dygard.

Young Adults' Choices for 2000 (IRA)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-In the opening game of the season, star quarterback Rob Montgomery is injured and second stringer Kevin Taylor must take command of his high school team. The novel then follows Kevin through each game as he overcomes his lack of confidence, earns the respect of his teammates, and becomes friends with Rob. Unlike sports books that try to offer a broader view of their characters, this one focuses on Kevin as quarterback. School work, family, and friends outside of the team are barely mentioned. This young man could practically be a professional in his total commitment to the game. On the other hand, this is exactly what many readers request (who wants to read about a quarterback doing homework or taking out the garbage), and there's plenty of description of game action to hold their interest. The author also throws in some nice touches-Kevin finds out that Rob's superior abilities have not come about through talent but through hours of hard work, and Kevin's self-doubts early in the season are well portrayed. Hard-core fans of sports fiction will find this a novel worth tackling. Others will probably leave well before the end of the first half.
Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-12. Fate presents second-string quarterback Kevin Taylor an opportunity of a lifetime when, in the first game of their senior year, perennially superior Rob Montgomery injures his knee, placing Kevin in the high-pressure position of leading a team that's expecting a championship season. On the field, Kevin's untapped skills and confidence are put to the test; beyond it, he grapples with a shifting camaraderie with Rob and his other teammates. Teens looking for extensive football action are certainly given plenty to satisfy them here. Readers will relish the constant and thorough play-by-play accounts as seen through Kevin's eyes. In his usual cut-to-the-chase style that's making him a YA favorite, Dygard offers just enough conflict and character development to add texture to the fast-paced plot. For readers interested in the subject, this is a championship season well worth the admission. Roger Leslie

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688159818
• ISBN-13: 978-0688159818
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,548,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Score Within, October 26, 2002

By 

LaShannon & Trisha (Olive Branch, MS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Second Stringer (Hardcover)

Doing your best is often the only thing required to overcome the expectations of others. Kevin Taylor, a second string quarterback for the Warren High Lions, overcame the expectations of others when it was time for him to step in as the first string quarterback. Rob Montgomery, the strong accurate passing arm quarterback, got injured in the game and was no longer able to continue out the season. Nobody expected Kevin to be as good as Rob. However, when Rob pushed aside his feelings about Kevin taking his spot, he offered Kevin some tips to strengthen his plays. Kevin didn't understand why Rob was so helpful to someone who took his spot. Rob needed to be a part of the game, even if it was only to give some helpful plays. As Kevin proves to his teammates that he can lead them to a victory, Rob proves to himself, that there is life outside of playing football.

This was a very interesting story. This book describes the plays of each game in detail. When reading the plays of the game, we felt like we were actually there. This book teaches us that you can't judge a person if you don't really know that person. It also shows that making a team effort will lead you to a victory. This book would be gratifying for students in the 7th grade and above. If you are a lover of football, this is the book for you! Teachers and parents could use this book to explain the history of football, the importance of all team members, and teach an intergrated math lesson.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hut! Hut! Hike!, March 5, 2002

By 

Gaurav Daryani (Taipei, Taiwan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Second Stringer (Hardcover)

This book was excellent. The author, Thomas J. Dygard, takes a real life high school situation and makes it an exciting book that you can't stop reading. This book is basically about a football team that has a star quarterback, Rob Montgomery, and a backup quarterback, Kevin Taylor. Kevin has had to live with this from eighth grade all the way through high school. Now Kevin is a senior, however Rob couldn't be playing any better, Kevin knows that Rob is quicker, stronger, and is an overall better football player. During a game, Rob was sacked and took a hard hit to his knee, everybody gathered around while the doctors were examining his leg. The final decision was made and Rob was taken off the field. The coach with no hesitation calls Kevin and tells him a play. Kevin snaps on his helmet and charges into the field. After a couple of games, Rob starts talking to Kevin and gives him some pointers which is really odd because Rob hasn't said a word to Kevin for the whole season. And they become really good friends, but the players don't have that trust in Kevin, like they had in Rob. Will Kevin win the season, and the hearts of the town and the players? If you want to know, then read it.
As I read this book I remembered that I saw a movie that had the same story, except the book was a lot better. It went into more detail on the game itself. And being born in India, where we see football as kicking a ball in a goal, it was extremely helpful. However the reason why I chose this book is because I have played football before and loving the sport. I think this book is for any sports fan, whether you play basketball or volleyball or any sport, you will love this book. Also whether you are young or old, you wont be able to put this book down.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Back Up Quaterback, June 4, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Second Stringer (Hardcover)

Kevin Taylor was the back up Qb on the warren high lions, all through out his life he backed up Ron Montgomery as Quaterback. Rob had more experiance an had more strenght an accuacy in his throw. Till one day on the first warren high football game rob was sacked an got hurt an they had to put Kevin in.For the first game kevin did well,but now that rob was hurt he had to play the rest of the season. While he was learning n everything all of a sudden it seemed that rob wanted to be his friend. Giving him pointers an helping him out.This book is good for any one who was a back up or just not good enough. This is a great book and i know young or old u would enjoy it to.