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Always a Catch
A ripped-from-the-headlines story about teens and steroids.
From a New York Times bestselling sports writer comes the story of one boy's quest to stay true to himself without letting down his team. Jack and his father have never seen eye to eye…until Jack’s dad gives him the chance to transfer to Oakhurst his junior year. His dad sees it as a way for Jack to get into a good college; Jack sees it as refuge from his dad.
Oakhurst is more than an escape—it's a chance for Jack to do something new, to try out for the football team. Once Jack makes the team, he’s thrust into a foreign world—one of intense hazing, vitamin supplements, monkey hormones and steroids. Jack has to decide how far he's willing to go to fit in—and how much he's willing to compromise himself to be the man his team wants him to be.
Perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.
From a New York Times bestselling sports writer comes the story of one boy's quest to stay true to himself without letting down his team. Jack and his father have never seen eye to eye…until Jack’s dad gives him the chance to transfer to Oakhurst his junior year. His dad sees it as a way for Jack to get into a good college; Jack sees it as refuge from his dad.
Oakhurst is more than an escape—it's a chance for Jack to do something new, to try out for the football team. Once Jack makes the team, he’s thrust into a foreign world—one of intense hazing, vitamin supplements, monkey hormones and steroids. Jack has to decide how far he's willing to go to fit in—and how much he's willing to compromise himself to be the man his team wants him to be.
Perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2014
19 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 8, 2014
Peter Richmond’s purpose of "Always a Catch" was to inspire young children and adults to play football and what it is like to play the game. He set out to tell the reader what it’s like to be in the shoes of a football player and the life that a football player leads. Richmond was writing about the player’s lives; their ups and downs, but also their love of the game. The author is trying to put the reader on the edge of their seat and to keep them wanting to read and read until the last page.
The theme of the book is that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. Take for instance the title, “Always a Catch”; there is always a catch. The catch for Jack was that although he found what he thought was a new start and opportunity, he was faced to make difficult decisions and forced into a world of hazing, supplements, hormones, and steroids. His decision to either fit in or risk losing his true self was a test of his personal strength.
The style of this story is narration because the author is telling the reader about their personal lives leading up to their football life and passion for the game. The author tells the reader about their troubles and what they do on a regular basis like school, practices, games, etc. The author is trying to get a reader to know the people in the book and what their life is like. The author wants a reader to have a good idea and picture in their mind of what the story would look like in real life. The author did a good job of describing events in detail to accomplish this. For example, Richmond writes: “Now a cornerback lowered his head, but he mistimed my speed, and I shook off his half tackle as I broke for the sideline. I’d gained twenty yards before the safety came over, took the perfect angle, and tackled me hard, lowering his shoulders at my knees. I flipped into the air and landed hard on my back. But I still had the ball” (179).
In my opinion, I thought that the author talked about the player’s personal life too much rather than focusing on them playing football. I thought that it was going to be about the player’s playing football and not so much about the drama of their personal lives. What I did like was the passion the player’s had for the sport and how good of friends they all were. I also liked reading about their teamwork, determination, and drive to win a game for their school, fans, and coaches.
The theme of the book is that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. Take for instance the title, “Always a Catch”; there is always a catch. The catch for Jack was that although he found what he thought was a new start and opportunity, he was faced to make difficult decisions and forced into a world of hazing, supplements, hormones, and steroids. His decision to either fit in or risk losing his true self was a test of his personal strength.
The style of this story is narration because the author is telling the reader about their personal lives leading up to their football life and passion for the game. The author tells the reader about their troubles and what they do on a regular basis like school, practices, games, etc. The author is trying to get a reader to know the people in the book and what their life is like. The author wants a reader to have a good idea and picture in their mind of what the story would look like in real life. The author did a good job of describing events in detail to accomplish this. For example, Richmond writes: “Now a cornerback lowered his head, but he mistimed my speed, and I shook off his half tackle as I broke for the sideline. I’d gained twenty yards before the safety came over, took the perfect angle, and tackled me hard, lowering his shoulders at my knees. I flipped into the air and landed hard on my back. But I still had the ball” (179).
In my opinion, I thought that the author talked about the player’s personal life too much rather than focusing on them playing football. I thought that it was going to be about the player’s playing football and not so much about the drama of their personal lives. What I did like was the passion the player’s had for the sport and how good of friends they all were. I also liked reading about their teamwork, determination, and drive to win a game for their school, fans, and coaches.
November 27, 2014
This book is definitely more appropriate for YA rather than middle school. It was really good though, and I can see why my boys like it.
September 7, 2016
I think this book is alright but 1 or 2 of the stuff in the is fiction
November 28, 2017
Always a Catch is a book written by Peter Richmond and in my opinion it is a very good book about football and his music life. The main character's name is Jack Lefferts and he is ends up playing piano, and playing as a very good wide receiver on his JV football team and the coaches are impressed with his catching skills and the coaches say that “Jack has good hands for your first time”. Jack is in 11th grade in Oakhurst Hall Prep which is the school that he was accepted into. During his music classes and sessions he comes along a girl named Caroline and you can guess like in every book between two high schoolers they do end up liking each other but take things slow because they are nervous. Always a Catch is one of those books that makes you think that you’re there. For example Jack and his team are making a play in a football game and they say plays and he makes everything feel like you were in the book at the game like you were a teammate of the huddle. I never liked to read much books when I was younger but I read Always a Catch and I’m hoping other sport related books can be like this one because like I said it makes you feel like you’re at the game or on the team with Jack. I would encourage a lot of people to read this book because if you like books that have you engaged into the book then this is definitely a book to read so you can see what it’s like.
October 30, 2023
This book is about a young kid that while he was walking to class one day, he was going past the football field and a football was overthrow and was coming right towards him. He heard someone yell “Heads up!” (pg. 11) and as he turned his head towards where the football was coming from, he saw the football flying through the air, “It seems like the ball was moving at lighting speeds” (pg. 11) he reached his hands up, but something felt different he said, it seems like time slowed down as he was about the catch the ball. He could she the slow spiral of the football and the laces, he said he could see the small bumps on the leather right before he was about the catch the ball. “But for some reason it felt like it was just, right, like it was meant to be” (pg. 12) and I know this seems like this is a lot of detail and drama about catching a random football throw at you when you weren’t expecting it, but he felt like it was meant to be. Then as the ball fell perfectly into his hands he decided to jump and catch the ball with ease. and it seemed like time slowed down or almost stopped as he was catching the ball.
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October 31, 2019This book is a fun and entertaining book. It is a great book for a quick read. From the exciting and action-packed games where Jack has to prove himself to not only himself, but to his whole team, and to the struggles Jack and his band have to overcome to beat the unfair rules set by a strict and unforgiving principle. It also deals with the topics of peer pressure, and always doing the right thing in life, even though other routes in life may seem easier. Jack faces many of these problems throughout the book, testing his mentally and physically. There’s only a couple problems with the book, which is that it gets kind of corny or cheesy in my opinion. But other than that, this book is a near perfect read! It is actually very relatable and deals with many things teens deal with. This book was probably one of the more interesting books I’ve read in awhile. Jack learns many lessons about life, family, adversity, and friends during his 1st quarter at Oakhurst Hall, and maybe you will too.
November 29, 2023
In this book, there is a passionate and rich kid that was determined to play football and win it all for the team. But sadly one day he moved to a way different school where he had to put himself first and accomplish more in his life instead of just playing football. He proved to the teachers that he could do school work at the same time as he was a star on the football field. He had a hard time with his teammates because he was different and he would always get targeted first in football practice. But after all that he went to his last game and didn't get the last touchdown but he will have another chance the next year. After the season was over the outcome of playing football was never really in doubt.
I think this is a really good book I recommend reading this and this will also teach you the development of keep going even if you are the one that's getting picked on. Use that as motivation and prove them wrong. It also tells the reader what it will feel like in a star football player shoes when your being the one thats getting coached.
I think this is a really good book I recommend reading this and this will also teach you the development of keep going even if you are the one that's getting picked on. Use that as motivation and prove them wrong. It also tells the reader what it will feel like in a star football player shoes when your being the one thats getting coached.
February 7, 2018
This book was very good. It is about a young man who goes to a prep school that his dad went to when he was a boy and says “It is what made me what I am.” When he gets to the school he discovers that he wants to play football and when he tries out for the jv team he realizes that he has amazing hands. When the coach tells him he needs to gain weight (he weighs 160) he goes to the weight room and is pressured to take steroids as a quick solution. He refuses and in result does not get passes thrown to him.
This book is a good book because it shows the struggles of peer pressure and what can happen if you give in to them. He is also a pianist and is very good so it shows you don't have to be only a athlete. It does have some vulgar moments and is slightly inappropriate but if you look past that, it is a very touching story about one boy's journey into adulthood. All in all, it is a very good book but only for very select age groups because of some of the language.
This book is a good book because it shows the struggles of peer pressure and what can happen if you give in to them. He is also a pianist and is very good so it shows you don't have to be only a athlete. It does have some vulgar moments and is slightly inappropriate but if you look past that, it is a very touching story about one boy's journey into adulthood. All in all, it is a very good book but only for very select age groups because of some of the language.
March 23, 2017
Always a Catch is about a kid named Jake and he is getting sent to a private high school where his and grandpa went for high school. Jake does not want to go but his dad is forcing him because Jake was getting in trouble for drugs and alcohol problems. When Jake got there he had to sign up for clubs and a sport. Jake is great on the piano so he joins the band but then he also really wanted to play football but he had never played it before. Jake makes the team as a walk-on. He met a girl whose name is Caroline. Jake is in love with her and she is on the cross country team. The cross country team is running in state and Caroline is there fastest runner. Jake and Caroline end up dating and a week later was the big game.
I liked that you get lost in the book and you do not realize how many pages you read until you are done. My favorite character had to be Jake because he is a scrawny kid and he reminds me of my best friend Trey. I did not like the ending because it was cut short. The Author could have went on by saying what Jake did after High School. I was give this book a five star rating because it was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes football based books.
I liked that you get lost in the book and you do not realize how many pages you read until you are done. My favorite character had to be Jake because he is a scrawny kid and he reminds me of my best friend Trey. I did not like the ending because it was cut short. The Author could have went on by saying what Jake did after High School. I was give this book a five star rating because it was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes football based books.
January 30, 2023
I read "Always a Catch" by Peter Richmond. This book was written in first person from the point of view of the main character. I liked this book because it was relatable and easy to read. The main characters name is jack. He has to go through his life without his father around much. He ends up being sent to a private school by his father. He learns to love football. He ends up being really good at it and it is all he cares about. He has internal and external conflict as he tries to figure out his knew life at the school. I like that this book is relatable because I play football. I also like that it is relatable because we are similar ages. I do not like that the book is a little boring sometimes. Because most of the book is about him being at school, it gets boring. Overall, I would recommend this book because it is a quick and easy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2020
I liked this book beacuse there was alot of differnt things going on like it was a move play in you head and it was a discriptful that you can just picture what is going on. There are parts that were confusing. But other than that I liked this book. Sports novels are always the way to go and I would highly recomend this book. I liked that there was sorts but then other eproblems going on like friends and teenage drama. Being an athlete myself this totaly reltes to the real world and what happens at sports.
May 10, 2020
For football fans, certainly, but Jack is also a musician and the son of a difficult man. A lot here for a lot of different readers!
April 1, 2023
I really enjoyed how Jack found himself throughout the book. It had a great meaning with a good story to tell it.
March 13, 2017
A boy named Jack is forced to move to a much bigger school named Oakhurst Academy. At his old school he got in a lot of trouble he had 25 demerits. Oakhurst Academy is a prestiges school and Jack isn't really smart like everyone else. While he was walking home he walked past the football field a ball came flying at him and he caught it. After that he recognized that the way that he could keep up with the rest of people in his school is by playing football. What he doesn't know about be on the team is he will receive hazing and will encounter things like steroids and other things like that. In this book you'll see how far Jack will go to win. I recommend this book to people who like sports and are having a hard time fitting in at a new school.
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January 31, 2024Interesting Young Adult read by an old professor of mine in my undergrad, as a sports writer he was able to incorporate terms of relevance in the world of Lefferts and the team, Im curious if this would be continued in a series as the character has his senior year ahead of him. this i would be interested in
December 21, 2020
It was good but I didn't really like the ending.
December 4, 2016
I feel this book is one of the better books that I've read so far this year. The main character, Jack, has no direction in his life. He feels disconnected from his family and feels like his father is always pushing him to succeed. When Jack is admitted into Oakhurst Hall, a prep school, he sees it as a chance to get away from his father. He doesn't really see it as an opportunity. Rich people attend this school and tradition is big. The author fills the book with a lot of unique and interesting characters.
Jack is gifted at playing the piano, and this is probably the reason he is accepted into the school. He doesn't like playing classical music. This sets up a conflict later with the school administration. He decides to form a band with people he's met at the school. They create their own kind of music. Jack also tries out for the football team and makes varsity. He has "good hands" and can catch the ball. However, he's small and ends up facing pressure from other players to use steroids to gain weight. Jack doesn't go along with the group on this and they pound on him during practice. He learns to hit back and hold his own. The book seems to be saying a lot about making your own choices in life. The players start to respect Jack as a teammate. By the end of the novel, they win their season. His football teammates help out when Jack's band is denied a chance to play at Oakhurst's annual concert. They drag in the musical equipment and Jack and his friends play their music for the school. The students love it, but it seems like their school president may expel Jack from the school. This doesn't happen though, because a lot of the rich alumni love his music so they influence the president into letting more of the modern stuff creep into the school's traditions. Jack's dad is at the concert and he meets with Jack afterwards. I like how the author shows how their relationship has changed and grown. It seems like Jack finally has a sense of his path in life. It also seems like he and his father get along better. In the end, Jack finally feels connected and happy. I think this is a really good book to have read right before the holidays.
Jack is gifted at playing the piano, and this is probably the reason he is accepted into the school. He doesn't like playing classical music. This sets up a conflict later with the school administration. He decides to form a band with people he's met at the school. They create their own kind of music. Jack also tries out for the football team and makes varsity. He has "good hands" and can catch the ball. However, he's small and ends up facing pressure from other players to use steroids to gain weight. Jack doesn't go along with the group on this and they pound on him during practice. He learns to hit back and hold his own. The book seems to be saying a lot about making your own choices in life. The players start to respect Jack as a teammate. By the end of the novel, they win their season. His football teammates help out when Jack's band is denied a chance to play at Oakhurst's annual concert. They drag in the musical equipment and Jack and his friends play their music for the school. The students love it, but it seems like their school president may expel Jack from the school. This doesn't happen though, because a lot of the rich alumni love his music so they influence the president into letting more of the modern stuff creep into the school's traditions. Jack's dad is at the concert and he meets with Jack afterwards. I like how the author shows how their relationship has changed and grown. It seems like Jack finally has a sense of his path in life. It also seems like he and his father get along better. In the end, Jack finally feels connected and happy. I think this is a really good book to have read right before the holidays.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2014
When your dad's too wrapped up in himself and your mom skipped out to save heathens in Central America when you were little, that doesn't leave you much in the way of parental support or communication. That's the situation high school junior, Jack finds himself in as the new school year approaches. Dad has pushed him to get into a prestigious private school in New Hampshire, remote and far from the familiarity of New York City. Rather than fight what he sees as a losing battle, Jack reluctantly agrees.
Oakhurst seems creepy at first look, but Jack likes his roommate and has an instant attraction to Caroline, a pretty, but shy flute player. His passion is playing the piano and one of the reasons his father pushed him to come here is the concert featuring a piano competition in front of alumni and this year possibly TV cameras that happens just before the Thanksgiving break. After signing up for piano tutoring, Jack acts on an impulse and signs up to play football. It's a life-changing decision. True, back in New York, he was pretty good at catching passes in pick-up games, but he's never experienced anything like the intensity his new teammates exude as practices progress.
There's an urgency to win the prep league championship and for some of the players, that means using whatever substance will get them to peak performance. Jack must tread a fine line in order to keep his own values without angering the more rabid team members. Add in a passing interest by the quarterback's girlfriend, a growing 'something' with Caroline, his gradual realization that not only is football fun, but it's more important to him than he ever imagined, coupled with a personal crisis about the piano competition and you have a story that's tight and very well crafted. This is a book that teens who love sports, who have parental issues, who have struggled with the whole performance enhancement dilemma, or who like music can enjoy a lot. It's certainly worthy of being added to both school and public library collections.
Oakhurst seems creepy at first look, but Jack likes his roommate and has an instant attraction to Caroline, a pretty, but shy flute player. His passion is playing the piano and one of the reasons his father pushed him to come here is the concert featuring a piano competition in front of alumni and this year possibly TV cameras that happens just before the Thanksgiving break. After signing up for piano tutoring, Jack acts on an impulse and signs up to play football. It's a life-changing decision. True, back in New York, he was pretty good at catching passes in pick-up games, but he's never experienced anything like the intensity his new teammates exude as practices progress.
There's an urgency to win the prep league championship and for some of the players, that means using whatever substance will get them to peak performance. Jack must tread a fine line in order to keep his own values without angering the more rabid team members. Add in a passing interest by the quarterback's girlfriend, a growing 'something' with Caroline, his gradual realization that not only is football fun, but it's more important to him than he ever imagined, coupled with a personal crisis about the piano competition and you have a story that's tight and very well crafted. This is a book that teens who love sports, who have parental issues, who have struggled with the whole performance enhancement dilemma, or who like music can enjoy a lot. It's certainly worthy of being added to both school and public library collections.
March 23, 2015
“I’m going out for football” (18). The book Always a Catch, written by Peter Richmond, was a great book. It was written about a kid named Jack Lefferts who was accepted into Oakhurst Hall, which was a great school. Jack had committed to play a sport he had never tried before and it was football. Jack was also a member of the band so he faced conflicts between these throughout the book. A theme taken from this book is that people should try new things because they never know how talented they may be. I enjoyed this book so much because I could relate to it through the sport of football.
I connected myself to this book because the main topic is football, and football is my favorite sport. This also linked to my life because I face conflicts with other sports and was forced to make tough decisions like Jack did. “I told him about dropping out of the competition” (232). Jack making this decision was an example of how he had to put football first and play in the championship game against Essex rather than playing in the music competition he had been waiting all year for. In the end, Jack ended up making a good decision by putting football first and becoming the hero in that game. “I leapt into the air, leaned back, and pulled the ball into my chest just as the cornerback slammed me out of bounds. It was a first down” (258). This shows that athletes can make a big difference in the biggest moments as long as they give the effort to try.
I really recommend this book to everyone who is in a band, plays football, or just wants to read an exciting book. I learned that I should try new things, and others can learn this too. The scenarios and events that took place in this book always kept me engaged. In conclusion, I really liked reading this book and other people who like trying new things will too.
I connected myself to this book because the main topic is football, and football is my favorite sport. This also linked to my life because I face conflicts with other sports and was forced to make tough decisions like Jack did. “I told him about dropping out of the competition” (232). Jack making this decision was an example of how he had to put football first and play in the championship game against Essex rather than playing in the music competition he had been waiting all year for. In the end, Jack ended up making a good decision by putting football first and becoming the hero in that game. “I leapt into the air, leaned back, and pulled the ball into my chest just as the cornerback slammed me out of bounds. It was a first down” (258). This shows that athletes can make a big difference in the biggest moments as long as they give the effort to try.
I really recommend this book to everyone who is in a band, plays football, or just wants to read an exciting book. I learned that I should try new things, and others can learn this too. The scenarios and events that took place in this book always kept me engaged. In conclusion, I really liked reading this book and other people who like trying new things will too.
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February 8, 2015Jack is headed to Oakhurst Hall, a boarding school in the middle of nowhere. He hasn't been getting along with his dad and likes his new stepmom even less at the moment. When his father suggests the change, saying it will be the perfect answer to getting Jack into a good college, Jack isn't thrilled. However, after further thought, Jack recognizes the opportunity is a chance to get away from his father who spends most of his time traveling for business anyway.
Getting a fresh start encourages Jack to try new things. One of those things is football. He has never played a organized sport, but the few times he has played catch, he has displayed a natural ability to grab a football with almost magic hands. After earning a spot on the JV team, Jack's talent is noticed, and he is moved to varsity. Now he has to figure out what his demanding coach expects of him and how to gain acceptance from the rest of his teammates who have been playing together for years.
Jack has another talent. He plays piano and is being encouraged by the school music teacher to enter the annual concert/contest held just before the Thanksgiving break. His piano skills also open another opportunity for Jack when he meets up with several other boys interested in starting a band. Between football and the band, Jack is beginning to find himself as an individual. It may just be one of the best things that have ever happened to him.
Author Peter Richmond takes an insecure young man and shows his journey of discovery and greater self-confidence. Jack experiences bullying, difficult and demanding teachers, and living away from home for the first time. It is not always easy, but Jack is determined to be successful.
Getting a fresh start encourages Jack to try new things. One of those things is football. He has never played a organized sport, but the few times he has played catch, he has displayed a natural ability to grab a football with almost magic hands. After earning a spot on the JV team, Jack's talent is noticed, and he is moved to varsity. Now he has to figure out what his demanding coach expects of him and how to gain acceptance from the rest of his teammates who have been playing together for years.
Jack has another talent. He plays piano and is being encouraged by the school music teacher to enter the annual concert/contest held just before the Thanksgiving break. His piano skills also open another opportunity for Jack when he meets up with several other boys interested in starting a band. Between football and the band, Jack is beginning to find himself as an individual. It may just be one of the best things that have ever happened to him.
Author Peter Richmond takes an insecure young man and shows his journey of discovery and greater self-confidence. Jack experiences bullying, difficult and demanding teachers, and living away from home for the first time. It is not always easy, but Jack is determined to be successful.
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February 19, 2016Jack is headed to Oakhurst Hall, a boarding school in the middle of nowhere. He hasn't been getting along with his dad and likes his new stepmom even less at the moment. When his father suggests the change, saying it will be the perfect answer to getting Jack into a good college, Jack isn't thrilled. However, after further thought, Jack recognizes the opportunity is a chance to get away from his father who spends most of his time traveling for business anyway.
Getting a fresh start encourages Jack to try new things. One of those things is football. He has never played a organized sport, but the few times he has played catch, he has displayed a natural ability to grab a football with almost magic hands. After earning a spot on the JV team, Jack's talent is noticed, and he is moved to varsity. Now he has to figure out what his demanding coach expects of him and how to gain acceptance from the rest of his teammates who have been playing together for years.
Jack has another talent. He plays piano and is being encouraged by the school music teacher to enter the annual concert/contest held just before the Thanksgiving break. His piano skills also open another opportunity for Jack when he meets up with several other boys interested in starting a band. Between football and the band, Jack is beginning to find himself as an individual. It may just be one of the best things that have ever happened to him.
Author Peter Richmond takes an insecure young man and shows his journey of discovery and greater self-confidence. Jack experiences bullying, difficult and demanding teachers, and living away from home for the first time. It is not always easy, but Jack is determined to be successful.
Getting a fresh start encourages Jack to try new things. One of those things is football. He has never played a organized sport, but the few times he has played catch, he has displayed a natural ability to grab a football with almost magic hands. After earning a spot on the JV team, Jack's talent is noticed, and he is moved to varsity. Now he has to figure out what his demanding coach expects of him and how to gain acceptance from the rest of his teammates who have been playing together for years.
Jack has another talent. He plays piano and is being encouraged by the school music teacher to enter the annual concert/contest held just before the Thanksgiving break. His piano skills also open another opportunity for Jack when he meets up with several other boys interested in starting a band. Between football and the band, Jack is beginning to find himself as an individual. It may just be one of the best things that have ever happened to him.
Author Peter Richmond takes an insecure young man and shows his journey of discovery and greater self-confidence. Jack experiences bullying, difficult and demanding teachers, and living away from home for the first time. It is not always easy, but Jack is determined to be successful.
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May 10, 2015The authors purpose for writing Always A Catch was to show that you don't have to take any sports supplements that make you stronger and more athletic to be good at a sport. He used a 1st person point of view with the protagonist "Jack Lefferts." The style of the book is a sports focused book he used someone who has never played a sport. The audience this book would most likely appeal to would be the sport fanatics. This book is jam-packed full of action and it never stops.
The theme of Always A Catch is the same as the authors purpose which is that you don't have to take performance enhancers to be good at sports. Jack Lefferts was a band kid that has never played sports and he gets put in a situation by his dad to either continue his family legacy at Oakhurst Hall or go off to some school for band. The author just wants people to understand the consequences of taking performance enhancers for sports.
The style of this book was an first person narrative. This is so because it is told by the protagonist and explains his entire school year at Oakhurst Hall. He takes you on his adventure into the world of sports and how people play those sports. It doesn't matter how good or bad you are at a sport the author just wants you to realize there will be a price to pay if anyone ever found out you used performance enhancers.
My opinion on this book would have to be that I loved it. I love football and this book is based on it. I didn't not like anything about it, the book was amazing. I wouldn't change a thing about it. It is similar to all sports books I have read because they are all related to football.
The theme of Always A Catch is the same as the authors purpose which is that you don't have to take performance enhancers to be good at sports. Jack Lefferts was a band kid that has never played sports and he gets put in a situation by his dad to either continue his family legacy at Oakhurst Hall or go off to some school for band. The author just wants people to understand the consequences of taking performance enhancers for sports.
The style of this book was an first person narrative. This is so because it is told by the protagonist and explains his entire school year at Oakhurst Hall. He takes you on his adventure into the world of sports and how people play those sports. It doesn't matter how good or bad you are at a sport the author just wants you to realize there will be a price to pay if anyone ever found out you used performance enhancers.
My opinion on this book would have to be that I loved it. I love football and this book is based on it. I didn't not like anything about it, the book was amazing. I wouldn't change a thing about it. It is similar to all sports books I have read because they are all related to football.
March 27, 2015
Recently I read Always a Catch by Peter Richmond. Peter Richmond has written many other sports related books and very well known for sports talk. Out of all his books this one was by far my favorite. He never failed to have me on the edge of my seat wanting to keep reading about the life of Jack Lefferts.
This book has several plots and its almost hard to figure out which one the main plot is because they all seem to tie together. Always a catch tells the story of a teenager named Jack Lefferts. His family had been going to a prestigious boarding school for generations and now it was his turn. Before Oakhurst Hall Jack had never been much of a sports guy. He was always into piano and music of all sorts. But Oakhurst hall changed him. When he got there he immediately signed up for the football team. Not knowing that it was brutal with all the steroids and lifting. He seemed to lose focus on playing the piano formally.
Jack Lefferts roommate was in a band. He encouraged Jack to join but Jack refused. Only until Jack joined did everything else start taking off. He got put on Varsity Football and finally found the right girl for him. Her name was Caroline and nothing would stop him from being with her.
While reading this book I never wanted to put it down. I always wanted to see what plot the Author would expand upon next. Whether it be Jack’s band, Caroline or the Football team I always wanted to find out more. I strongly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading about sports based novel and would hope that you enjoy this book as much as I did.
This book has several plots and its almost hard to figure out which one the main plot is because they all seem to tie together. Always a catch tells the story of a teenager named Jack Lefferts. His family had been going to a prestigious boarding school for generations and now it was his turn. Before Oakhurst Hall Jack had never been much of a sports guy. He was always into piano and music of all sorts. But Oakhurst hall changed him. When he got there he immediately signed up for the football team. Not knowing that it was brutal with all the steroids and lifting. He seemed to lose focus on playing the piano formally.
Jack Lefferts roommate was in a band. He encouraged Jack to join but Jack refused. Only until Jack joined did everything else start taking off. He got put on Varsity Football and finally found the right girl for him. Her name was Caroline and nothing would stop him from being with her.
While reading this book I never wanted to put it down. I always wanted to see what plot the Author would expand upon next. Whether it be Jack’s band, Caroline or the Football team I always wanted to find out more. I strongly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading about sports based novel and would hope that you enjoy this book as much as I did.
March 10, 2015
I picked this book because I didn't want to start up a long series and I'm also interested in football and music and this book just shouted out at me. This story takes place at a high school named Oak Hurst Hall and people have to have some sort of talent to get in which means you get a scholarship. It takes place in the 21st century. The conflict at the story is when Jack and his band want to play at a Thanksgiving Classical
concert but Ward will not let him. Jack is a static character he changed from being a little wimpy kid not knowing what he is doing to a leader on the football field and putting himself out there. Jack is a athletic, musical, and a leader. The theme was don't underestimate your self and if you have the right mindset you will succeed. The book was really good if you like football and music you would love this book. I rate it a 5 and it was one of the best I ever read.
concert but Ward will not let him. Jack is a static character he changed from being a little wimpy kid not knowing what he is doing to a leader on the football field and putting himself out there. Jack is a athletic, musical, and a leader. The theme was don't underestimate your self and if you have the right mindset you will succeed. The book was really good if you like football and music you would love this book. I rate it a 5 and it was one of the best I ever read.
March 4, 2016
Always A Catch is a story about a boy named Jack, he and his father have never seen each other until Jack’s dad gives him the chance to transfer to Oakhurst high his junior year of high school. Oakhurst is a very well known school, it is also a very prestigious honor to go there. His dad sees it as a way for Jack to get into a good college. Oakhurst is more than a regular high school it's a chance for Jack to do something new, he tries out for the football team and Jack made it as a walk-on. Once Jack makes the team, he’s got a decision to make, either he gets bigger and faster how everyone else is by being in the weight room. Or he takes steroids. Jack has to decide how far he's willing to go to fit in with the rest of his teammates and how much he's willing to do to himself to be the person his team wants him to be.
February 22, 2015
What I love about Peter Richmond's novel: he treats the young people in it like fully formed characters. This is a novel about a musician in prep school who goes out for football. This is the first book I've read that helped me understand some of the appeal of football -- I felt like I was inside the character's helmet, and Richmond, who has among other things been a sportswriter, knows the game and its abuses well-- and I enjoyed the music parts. There's something jazzy and syncopated about the writing that I like, too.
March 2, 2015
I enjoyed the book, Always a Catch because I am really into football, and this was pretty relatable. Other than the swearing, and the drug use, and references, I would say I have felt the way Jack, the main character has, in some situations. Jack Lefferts gets accepted into the Grand Oakhurst Hall, which he isn't very excited about. Jack got accepted for piano, but was also planning on playing football. Jack meets many friends through the story, and really changes through it as well. I would recommend this book to a lot of my football friends, and some other high school football players.
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December 13, 2016Fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green will enjoy this book. There are many sub plots in this book: Falling in love, Becoming apart of a band, and bucking tradition. The main character Jack is unambitious and uninspired. This is a terrific coming-of-age tale about football, music and finding yourself, suitable for any teenager. Sent to a stodgy prep school by his dad, Jack finds a way to overcome the many challenges, from old-world faculty to teammates on steroids
May 11, 2015
Jack, a pianist turned football player, has to make some tough decisions. Is he going to rely on hard work or steroids to give him that extra edge at his new prep school? Is he going to pursue the music he wants or the music his teacher wants?
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December 3, 2014it is a good book
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