Running Back Dreams (Team Jake Maddox Sports Stories)

by Jake Maddox, Sean Tiffany (Illustrator)

In the biggest game of the year, Noah's on the bench as usual. But when another player is injured, Coach puts Noah in. And soon, the outcome of the game rests on his shoulders.

Genres: Sports, Middle Grade

72 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler–or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps–literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers.

Reviews

[Robert Crowley]

it was ok because the guy knew alot about the sport but di'nt get to play alot

[Jennifer]

Noah is on the football team, but he usually rides the bench during the games. He's okay with that, though, because it gives him time to study the statistics of other football players. But when a player is injured during a game, suddenly the coach is putting Noah in to play, and the outcome of the game is now riding on Noah's shoulders. Will Noah be able to turn his statistical knowledge into something useful the team can use to win the game?

Like other Jake Maddox stories, the focus of the story is on teamwork, fair play, and doing the best you can. Though there's not a huge plot in the stories - they're much too short for that - each of them has a little nugget of information that can be really good for kids who are in the target age range of these books, and this story is no different.

The narration is also well done, and at 35 minutes long, this is a story that could be listened to multiple times if the listener enjoys it. While I won't be one to listen to it multiple times, I would be that younger readers would be much more likely to do so.

[Lisa]

Good book for someone that understands football! Nice glossary in the back. It was a bit far fetched since players never sit and read on the side lines of any sport but again, an understanding of football is important to understanding the plot and the main character’s passion. Maybe this will inspire a nonreader to read!

[Jgramley]

3.5 Stars. As a second string running back Noah finds himself on the bench. He doesn’t really mind because he is into football history and stats but it does mean he isn’t always part of the team because he is in his head. That is until the one game he gets called in when all things change….

[Andrew klopp]

good book

[Ben Schmoker]

I liked Running Back Dreams because I like the way a kid could do good in sports by the way he thinks instead of his strengh and agility.

[Junior]

its a good book

[Jesse]

I thought it was a good book because it really got my attention and just showed that teamwork and paying attention really helps in football