Game Change

Gr 6–9—In Grafton County, New Hampshire, football rules all. Seventeen-year-old Zeb Holloway is content living in the shadows as backup quarterback. His peaceful routine of working at his uncle's auto repair shop and hunting deer in New Hampshire's backwoods is turned upside down when the star quarterback is injured a week before the state championship game. Zeb is instantly thrust into the spotlight with newspapers, college scouts, and admirers watching his every move. Zeb works to stay true to himself and his support system during the hectic time. Through intense dialogue, rich details, and comments from town members, Monninger heartwarmingly and realistically portrays Zeb and his companions as relatable individuals who do not have the perfect lives. The description of football and the community pressure feel authentic. Zeb deals with the stress of athletic expectations, life with one parent, and developing romantic relationships. Readers find themselves rooting for his happiness more than a football victory. The plot lacks intense action but makes up for that in humorous narrative detail and character development.