Above All Else

by Jeff Ross

Del plays striker on his high school soccer team, the Cardinals, and they've gone almost three seasons undefeated. To Del, it's just a game, but some of the players think winning is all that matters. When an ugly tackle results in a major loss for the Cardinals against their main rival, the Rebels, things get heated between the teams. That night, one of Del's teammates has his ankle broken by an unknown assailant, leaving him unable to take part in the playoffs.
As Del tries to figure out which of the Rebels' players is responsible for the attack, his coach brings in a substitute player, and he's actually "really" good. Is it just a coincidence, or did someone finally take the "above all else" mentality too far?

Genres: Sports, Young Adult

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

Jeff Ross is an award-winning author of thirteen novels for young adults.

Reviews

[Abdulrahman Boutaleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Del, a teen in one of the towns, just wanted to play his hardest and enjoy the game, but other players on his team just wanted to win, They pushed, shoved and got in fights with the other team just to win a game. But one day, after the game, they were hanging out in one of the players restaurant, when someone injured one of their players purposefully. So the search was on to find the person who did this. Then they meet other girls that told them who did it... This story is about adventure, friendship and honesty.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I thought for the longest time it was a certain person responsible for the attack, not the one everyone was blaming, so was a little surprised when it was someone else. I also liked the ending. I thought it sent a good message. All in all, a good read.

[Mel Raschke]

Players that think winning is everything and they attack an opponent off campus. Great for reluctant readers.

[Om · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good for someone who likes soccer, cliffhangers, friendship, sabotage, and mystery. I learned a lot of lessons too. but the story was all over the place so that cut off some points for me. So overall a good read.

[Star Tyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Lessons that athletes need to learn. Be honest and let the Coach know when there are wrong doings going on within the team.

[Aaron Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

its a pretty good book...

[Sara Jasinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5... Easy to read but engaging and a little unexpected.

[Andre]

i want Plot
for the story plz

[Kacie Pickford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Above All Else was about a soccer team. A soccer team that put there whole strength into wining every soccer game. All that goes down hill when one of there best players gets attacked.
In this book the kids learn that working together as a team is helpful for all of them. The kids/team members, also learn to protect one of there friends from the team. They learn to protect him because he got attacked. The team feels that he the team mate is still under attack because the person who attacked him is unknown.
I think this book could us a little less of the main character saying what other people said because to me that's a lot. The way I feel about this book is that it could have ended better than it did. This book also could have been a little longer than it was. The author cold have made the book a little more sporty and less focusing on some one getting attacked.
My final opinion on the book is that I think it was a really gook book besides the parts I said I didn't like. The types of readers that would like this book are people that like sports, fiction, and just people that like to read in general.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most Orca novels, this one will appeal most to reluctant readers, especially guys who enjoy reading sports stories with a little romance. Del’s school soccer team, the Cardinals, have achieved the nearly impossible: two undefeated seasons and are almost to their third. During a heated game with their rivals, the Rebels, one of Del’s friends and teammates, Romano, ends up injuring a key Rebel player. While Romano claims it was an accident, Del isn’t so sure. Later that same evening, Romano is assaulted and ends up with a broken ankle. Del starts wondering if their team motto, “Above all else” has led to more underhanded plays then he knows. Are their opponents out for revenge or is his own team taking their motto too seriously? Teens will enjoy the action of the soccer games and keep reading to find out the ending. This book’s reading level is 3.4. for grades 6 and up

[Cassi M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade/interest level: 7-8 that know about the game of Soccer
Reading level: 800
Genre: Sports- Soccer
Main Characters: The Cardinal High School Soccer Players and Coach Dolan
Setting: Soccer Field and Locker Room
POV: 1st Person


I did not finish this book, 1 because I do not understand the game of soccer. It was hard to understand what they where talking about. Also I was using it as a filler when I did not have my book. I was able to then get my book and I finish that. I just think that is was hard but if you understand soccer then you should give this book I try.

[Isaias Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting it's about a team who was trying to be undefeated for three whole seasons but lost against a good school because of a call that changed the game and made them lose. After the game they go to a teamates restaurant and talk about the game once everyone left Romano got attacked by someone Jared and Del were there when that happened. The quest then began to look for who ever attacked Romano.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Del is a member of the Cardinals soccer team. They are on the verge of completing a 3rd season undefeated. Del loves to play the game but isn't as caught up in the idea of winning at all costs like a few of his other team members. When injuries and red cards threaten their chances, tension runs really high.
Some violence.

[JMRL]

Find it at JMRL: http://aries.jmrl.org/record=b1304491~S9