Crackback, John Coy; Scholastic Press

“Miles barely recalls when football was fun after being sidelined by a new coach, constantly criticized by his father, and pressured by his best friend to take performance-enhancing drugs.”
Robin’s Note: This title takes on a harsher aspect of sports by addressing steroids – their appeal and the dangers of using them.  John Coy has written a number of books featuring sports for teens, so if you like this one, there’s more to read.

Knights Of The Hill Country, Tim Tharp; Alfred A. Knopf

“In his senior year, high school star linebacker Hampton Greene finally begins to think for himself and discovers that he might be interested in more than just football.”
Robin’s Note: This is a strong sports title, this time focusing on football.  Tim Tharp is a writer who has a strong sense of language, banter, and what it is to be a part of a team even in how much it can trap you despite love of the sport.