FIRST TEAM

In this sequel to New Kid (2014), Brock discovers real life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Brock is thrilled when his father announces that it’s time for them to settle into a normal life, one in which they don’t have to move every few months to escape his father’s murderous enemies. But real life turns out to have plenty of problems, too. Brock’s natural ability to throw a ball gains him attention from the junior varsity football coach, but the socioeconomic politics of the town dictate that the quarterback positions go to wealthy kids who are related to the coaches. And what about the bad feelings he’s been getting about different people in town and the strange cars that look like they could be following him? Are his dad’s enemies really fooled? NFL player–turned-author Green delivers a fast-paced, compelling tale that middle-grade readers will find entertaining. The story sometimes feels too convenient for the sake of a tidy plot, and Brock’s character occasionally seems a little flat, but readers will probably be caught up in the timeless dramas of boy meets girl and boy wants to play football.

An exciting continuation of Brock’s adventures on and off the field.