Out of the Tunnel

Red Zone #1

by Patrick Jones

In Troy, Ohio, there's Trojan football and then there's everything else. It's been that way as long as anyone can remember. But it's been more than a decade since Troy took home the state title. This season, they finally have a chance to end the drought.

Brian Norwood is the son of a Trojan football legend. His father starred on the last championship team―an undefeated team. And it seems like every sacred Trojan tradition began with his dad. Now Brian is the starting tight end―a member of the team's inner circle. He's finally living up to his father's expectations. But being one of Troy's privileged few is not at all what Brian expected.

Genres: Sports, Realistic Fiction

104 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Patrick Jones is the author of five realistic teen novels, most recently Stolen Car((Walker / Bloomsbury, 2008). His first young adult novel Things Change (Walker & Company, 2004) was named by the Young Adult Library Services Association as a best book for reluctant readers, and was runner-up in the Teen Buckeye Book Award selected by Ohio teens. His second novel Nailed was published by Walker / Bloomsbury in spring 2006 and was a runner-up for the Great Lake Book Award. His 2007 novel, Chasing Tail Lights, is nominated for the Minnesota Books Awards. His most recent (and last) professional publication is Connecting with Reluctant Readers (Neal-Schuman, 2006). In 2006, he won lifetime achievement awards from both the Catholic Library Association, and the American Library Association. Jones is a frequent speaker at library conferences, having visited all fifty states, as well as in Canada, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Jones grew up in Flint, Michigan, but now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Read more at his web page www.connectingya.com, including FAQs about Things Change and Nailed (perfect for book reports!). NOTE: After a bruising experience with another author, he's limited his reviews on Good Reads to only raves as not to disturb the "fellowship" of YA writers.

Reviews

[Josue Rojas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Response

I enjoyed Out of the Tunnel by Patrick Jones, because It dealt with football and how to keep friends. I liked how the author shows how friendships are important. As the story progressed, Brian got into trouble but soon realized that losing friends was not as fun as being in the Big Six, which was basically six player.

Plot Summary
The book started out with Brian who was getting ready for football. Brian and his dad were getting ready for the football season. Brian’s dad was a Trojans legend who won the state title. Brian's dad’s dream was to have his son also win the title. Brian was a starter for offensive and he was also part of the Big Six. The Big Six was a group of football players. They drank and did other things that were bad. The stuff they did could get them kicked off the team. Brian was one of the Big Six until things got out of control. He decided that it was not worth being in the group.

Characterization

Brian started out as a kid who was on the Trojan football team and was also a part of the Big Six. Brian was an offensive player and wanted to be the best he could. Throughout the book Brian quickly changes when he ruins his friend life. Brian quickly quits the Big Six and he is more focused of getting his friend back. His dad was the reason the Big Six started.

Brian’s dad had made all the rules for the Big Six. Brian’s dad was a Trojan football player too. He made up rules that could’ve kicked the players off the football team. Brian’s dad started out as wanting his son to be a great football player. Brian’s dad realized throughout the book that it was important for Brian just to be himself.

Setting

The book took place at Trojan, Ohio during the football season. The book was based off football. The setting was important because that is the same school his dad went too. This book could be written anytime, but I would say modern times.The way his dad was teaching him certain plays, and just all the football equipment they had.

Recommendation
The book would be great if the reader is a football lover. I'm going to recommend this to teens and adults. Some of the things that happen may not be suited for younger kids to learn about. The book would also be great if the reader is trying to read something that could be easy and quick to finish. Both males and females would enjoy this book even though the main character is a male. It also teaches the reader about how much friendship means. I gave this book a four star rating.

[Jason Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

OUT OF THE TUNNEL

Patrick Jones

Published September 1, 2014

Review written by Jason Watkins on February 12, 2018

Patrick Jones' book "OUT OF THE TUNNEL" is a very well written book. It can make you relate to the main character Brian Norwood, who is a junior in high school on the varsity football team. Brian was nervous about moving from fullback to linebacker. He felt as if moving up would give him too much attention on the field. This can make you relate to what he was feeling.

For example, if you play basketball for your school, it's basically like moving from the block to point guard if you don’t have ball handling skills. Brian's father demanded that Brian move up. "Brian, you've got to understand this is what's best for you"(Jones 12). After hearing his father lecture over and over, Brian eventually gave in to moving up to linebacker. This ends up being one of the best decisions Brian has made as an athlete. He was phenomenal on the field having three or more touchdowns per game.

Because Brian moved up to linebacker, he was now part of the "Big Six": the best players on the team. Being part of this small group meant you had some simpleminded actions better known as the "Troy High Traditions". One of the gambles that Brian agreed to was to prank and embarrass Amber, a freshman. "You, your dad, all of you with your stupid football traditions." "Don’t you realize that none of it matters?" "It's just a stupid game with little boys banging their heads together trying to act like men"(Jones 95). This made Brian realize that what he was doing was immature and it was time for him to grow up.

"OUT OF THE TUNNEL" is a very detailed book about what high school football players do outside being on the field. I would highly recommend reading this book if you like football or can relate his story to your personal life.

[Carter Greening · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Response
I like this book because it is something you can relate to because the author made the story about how the best guys on the team are all friends and make each other look good. After practice is when everything goes down, the best 6 offensive guys on the team have a game called the big six and they have a lot of beer.One time they get caught drinking but the cop seemed to get it and let the whole situation slide. When the big six games start they are very bad they have to find a girls and they make these girls do very bad things,and towards the end of the book Brian regrets even being on the big six because he feels really bad about what he did to this one girl.

Plot Summary
In this book the best six players on the offensive team start this thing called the big six they do many bad thing that could get them kicked out of football such as drinking. Brian, somehow found himself in the big six and he didn't even know exactly how it worked. Brian wasn't even friends with the other 5 of them but they soon became friends in the long run up until they all went to Shane's house and they made the girls work the pole. Then Shane snapped a picture of Brian's girl and then it get spread out all through the school and brian now regrets even getting into the big six. He should have played defense and not got himself into the big six in the first place even tho he won it. The girl that got the picture taken of had to transfer school because everyone looked at her different and made fun of her.

Recommendation
I recommend this book to 8th graders and above, because there is some parts in it that some smaller kids would not understand and there is also some inappropriate perts in it to.

[Lane Nett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Response: I liked this book because there was a lot of suspense, mostly to see if Brian made it to the big six, the starting offense. Throughout the book Brian must make many hard decisions, just to get on the big six. It was also about football so that made it interesting.
Plot summary: In the beginning Brian is just your everyday football player, but during their first practice the 4 best players notice potential in Brian and his friend Dylan. Now they are invited to join the big six. Brian's dad tells him all about the big six with him being a former member. And when it comes time for the initiation he destroys this girl's life and Dylan doesn't want to be friends because of what he has done and now amber is not friends with him either. Now at the end he decides to quit the big six in hope of getting his friends back.
recommendation:I would recommend this book for ages 10 to 14 and both genders. This book is great, but it is a little easy to read. The book was very good though, it was also very interesting and always kept me reading.

[Laura Swendig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick Jones' "Out of the Tunnel" tells the story of Brian, a kid who is destined to be a football star, or at least that's what his dad thinks. Brian faces the many pressures that come with being a teenager in the 21st century. As if it isn't enough to feel pressure from yourself about how you look, talk, act, who you hangout with, what you do in your free time, your socioeconomic status, the clothes you wear, the grades you do or do not get, and everything else, this book also brings out the pressure placed on teenagers by their friends, families, and peers. Brian loves to play football, but not because he needs to win, or because we wants to party, get drunk, meet girls, and live dangerously. His dad forces Brian to change positions, to take the spot of another guy on the team, and then things begin to spiral out of control. He takes the new position, is forced into a football cult of sorts called "The big six", mistreats and emotionally harms a girl who had always been a friend to him, and is pressured into drinking alcohol and doing things that he doesn't believe in, until finally he loses himself completely. Brian must find his way back to his love for football, but if he tells his dad that he doesn't want to be a part of "the big six" he may lose the coaches favoritism, as well as his father's. He needs to make the choice, continue to operate within the bounds of a messed up system, or speak up, and set himself free.

I thought this was a great book and an easy read. It was face paced, yet covered a litany of different current issues. The peer pressure Brian constantly feels throughout the book, is incredibly common. It is easy to be pushed around by those whose opinions you care about, and Brian gives way to these pressures, the way many people do under similar circumstances. I appreciate that by the end, Brian truly comes full circle, trying in the end, to reconnect with his true passion for the game, regardless of the consequences. It is a well written book, that while had low literary language, is still incredibly powerful in the message that, you can break rules and hearts and be cool, or you can stand up for who you are, and be amazing.

[Kelly Weger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take Away by Brandon Terrel is a story about football and is narrated by the teams starting halfback. Devon is the halfback and he tells the story about how there star wide reciever Orlando Green gets in a huge arguement with the head coach, Coach Z about missing a wide open pass thrown to him during the game they played the week before. After they get there arguement broken up by one of the assistent coaches the whole team goes out of runs and practices. During that practice period coach Z makes Orlando run the pass play that he dropped the wide open pass on over and over again. Orlandos attitude and stubborness then comes in and he turns his back on Coach Z and walks right off the field with coach Z yelling “if you walk off this field your never stepping on it again!”Orlando doesn’t budge, he walks right off the field without ever turning his back.

After a few days Orlando decides he doesn’t want to play for coach Z. He joins the Trojans #1 rival, the Athens High Raiders. Devon was Orlando’s best friend and was shocked at Orlando’s decison to leave. He plays for the Athens for awhile and likes it to, he says they respect him and appreciate his talent.

But after some guys on the team spraypaint his car and break his windows Orlando’s attitude changes greatly towards the Athens. He then shows up at school one day and suprises everybody, Especially the football team.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the book, "Out of the Tunnel" because it felt like you was with the main character the whole time and it is something you can connect with in light of the fact that the writer made the tale about how the best people on the team are companions and make each other look great. As tight end, one of the best on the team, Brian Norwood is falling into that trap, and he is part of the hazing rituals the seniors wreck on the juniors, pranks that can turn into crimes. It all went down after practice, he was peer pressured by the best 6 offensive players on the team to an amusement called the huge six and they have a great deal of beer. They get discovered drinking one time, but however the cop appeared to get it and let the entire circumstance slide. At the point when the enormous six recreations begin they are terrible, they need to discover a young ladies and they influence these young ladies to do awful things, and towards the finish of the book Brian felt guilty notwithstanding being on the huge six since he feels extremely awful about what he did to this one young lady.

[Bret Harvard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of the tunnel by Patrick Jones is a story of entitlement went bad, first book in a series about players on an Ohio high school football team. Although football is going through some tough times, there are still people who think the players have a special talent. As tight end, one of elite, Brain Norwood is falling in to that pitfall, and he is taking part of the hazing rituals the 12 graders do to the juniors, pranks that can quickly turn to crimes. Jones writes with a straightforward sense of being in the book and with a taste of the rightly judgemental.

The white knight is Dylan; although another possible member of the inner circle, who finds the rituals not only distasteful, but shameful, but brian falls short. Peer pressure has sunk better people; but in the end, Brian doesn’t own his abominable behavior. If Jones wanted this to be a cinema verite, where there is never a straight path and the mood is existential, then the story had to be a lot more faint and the skies lower. As it is; brain loses readers' sympathy, and the point of the story is too bleak for its essential cluelessness.

[Blease Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian is a linebacker on the Troy High Trojans football team. His dad once played there too, but a different position. His dad convinces him to play the position he once did. Brian likes it at first but bad things start to happen in The Big Six, a group of offensive players. They throw parties and get drunk every Saturday and even make Brian buy the alcohol as a new member. Brian quickly learns to dislike it though he doesn't act like it around the other guys. At the end, he tells the coach he wants to switch back to linebacker, after talking with his dad. He learned a lot from The Big Six, and felt like linebacker was a safe, peaceful home.

[Antonio · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. I just don't understand what they did to the girl at that party ,and why it was such a big deal. I also didn't understand "The Big Six" and how that work. The only thing I understood was their football games, and how they was trying to go undefeated. I think the author could do a better job explaining the story cause i was lost through out the whole book. So yeah, I wouldn't suggest anyone to read this book.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Norwood is a linebacker at Troy High School. He made a big decision to play the position Tight End for the new upcoming season. Thus making him apart of the Big Six. This is a big deal at Troy High. The Big Six is the inner circle of players. This year the teams goal was to become undefeated like the year of Brian's dad playing. To become undefeated the Big Six must be undefeatable. Shane, the leader of the Big Six, can make anyone look good on the field, but to be apart of the Big Six, Brian must first go through a series of quests to test if he is Big Six material.
Even though this is an easy book to read, it's a good series to get into if you're a fan of football and short chapters. In this book written by Patrick Jones, you learn that true friendship is more valuable than impressing Mr.Popularity. I think this value is really important and Mr.Jones does a good job of getting the point across. Brian and his best friend Dylan fight about the tests the Big Six put you through. This broke up their friendship up. One of the things I didn’t agree with in this book was all the under aged drinking the Big Six did, how they were not disciplined when they got caught doing things they weren't supposed to, and what the Big Six made Brian do to Amber.
In this book, there is a Trojan Tradition that one person in the Big Six has to go down the Tunnel of Love with a girl and get a kiss. This year they changed the tradition to someone in the Big Six has to get the youngest girl possible to dance on a silver pole. I didn’t agree that it was appropriate with the age that this book would be for. I imagine this book being in the children's department of the public library with the beginner chapter books for 8 year old's and up.
The author did more books for this series. A lot of his books are for the teen population. Most football books are just about the game, but this one is different. It follows Brian, his family, and the Big Six. On the cover, the Big Six is pictured running out onto the field first. In my opinion, the cover was appealing because it makes the reader wonder what is going to happen. When I saw the cover, I asked questions like "what is this about?" "who are they?" "Is the book just about Game Day?" "Are they undefeated or Champions?". At the end of the book, I was able to answer these questions.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I recommend it for older or more mature kids because of the inappropriately aged things mentioned in it. Other than that, it was a great book about football. I hope to soon read the next books in this series.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

May 13, 2015
Out of the Tunnel
Patrick Jones
Published September 1st, 2014

Out of the Tunnel by Patrick Jones is the first book out of a new series. Brian Norwood is a football player for Troy High School. This is the year they are expecting to go undefeated and win state. Brian’s father, now a coach, was part of the only team to go undefeated at Troy High. Brian has decided to switch positions on the field to possibly be a benefit for the team. The pressure is building up and he is nervous. The new position would mean he would be part of the “Big Six”. The Big Six is the six elite players that make the team. They are all popular and go to parties. Brian wants to fit in with them so he starts trying to hang out with them.

Every year there is a traditional bet that the players do. This year Brian wanted to win this big bet. It would mean he was the coolest person on the team. The other players that were already part of the Big Six had told Brian and his friend Dylan to throw a party for them and get drinks. Brian had done everything possible to make it go as planned. Dylan didn’t want any part of the parties; he wanted to focus on school and football. Brian had made them happy and now starts to really fit in with the rest. Dylan and Brian grow apart after Brian won the big bet.

Surprisingly, the outcome of the book was very different than you would think it was going to be. It shows how some things change for the better or for the worse. Friends grow apart, and new friends might not be real friends. It goes to show that changing yourself doesn’t benefit you if you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.

This book was easy to read because it had my attention the whole time. There were no moments I felt like it was boring. The book continued to flow throughout the story and it had a good sequential order that made sense. From the beginning to the end it had a story line about the same topics and showed examples of cause and effect. I think this book was a good fast read and I don’t find those very often.

I would recommend this book to people who like sports. It is about football and a boy trying to fit in with the crowd while losing his self. It’s an interesting story with a moral behind it as well. There are even some little mysteries through the book. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the Tunnel

By: Patrick Jones

7/15/14



Have you ever played football? Or thought about playing football? Neither did Devon till his dad made him his middle school year.

Devon's dad made him play football because he played football back in his high school days; He was the best in the state, so he wanted his son to be like him. Well Devon's dad got what he wanted; his son grew up to be an 1st team all state.

There's this thing at Troy Central High school called the big six. Well Devon was the leader of the big six at the running back position and was the best in the state.

Devon was getting recruited to OSU (Ohio State University) his junior year along with some his fellow teammates. Devon has been attending OSU training camp since his freshman year.

Troy Central High has a rivalry against Athen's High; always have; always will. Troy Central had beat Athen's High for their 3rd state title.

However Devon wasn’t as good out of school and out of football then everyone thought he was. His friends weren't a very good role model on him. His friend Orlando always wanted to drink and do other things and it just wasn’t a good role on Devon at all.

Reading "Out of the Tunnel" will keep you reading the rest of the series by Patrick Jones. This book just had me going because you get so into it and just don’t want to quit reading it. Out of the Tunnel is probably my most favorite book I've ever read.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pressure from peers, parents, and coaches add up to a disasterous decision for one high school football star. Is he really living the life he wants, or is he becoming someone he hates just to please everyone around him? This would be a popular book for teen boys. It is high interest and a very quick read, which for many of my reluctant readers is ideal. There is a good lesson about integrity but it is rushed and may not make a huge impact on readers. I did not care for the way that the protagonist blamed some of his mistakes on others, but I liked that the protagonist recognized he wasn't strong enough to stand up to the pressure of his peers in his current position and chose a way out of the situation that was a reasonable and realistic answer for him. The narrative was choppy, which I found disorienting at times, but I don't think it would hinder the enjoyment of most readers. Language was appropriate. Sexual situations are alluded to but are not graphic. Several references to alcohol abuse by minors without clear consequences, but the author's tone made it clear that the reader was suppose to view it in a negative light. I would add it to my classroom library and recommend it to my reluctant readers. This was an ARC I received through Net Galley, but the review is my own, unbiased opinion

[Kyle Earll]

Personal Response: I liked this book because it was about football and that is a sport that I love. This book started out with the kids not being good at any sport to winning the state game and it is kinda like our football team but we just have not gotten to winning state or even close.

Plot Summary: In this book there is a kid named Brian. All of his friends and him love to play football, but are not good at it and only wins like 1-2 games a year. Brian's father was good at football but when he got out of high school he never did anything to keep going with football. But this year Brian and his dad work hard all summer to get to be a winning team. During the season they are undefeated and will be going to state. They win state the first time in 18 years. Brian and his dad got along better. His dad’s dream was to have a kid and be the same way he was when he was a kid.

Recommendation: I think anyone that likes football would like this book. Boys would probably prefer this book. I think any age that could read this book would like it.

[Christopher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Brian is a yound man from Troy, Ohio. He plays for the highschool of Troy called the Trojan's. His dad was one of the greatest there ever was on the Trojan's and now it was time for Brian and his friend Dylan to prove himself.
Brian's dad wants him to switch his position from linebacker to tight end so he can become part of the "Big Six". The "Big Six" were the most popular kids at the highschool and it xonxluded of 3 RB's, 2 TE's, and a QB. They were also the naddest kids too because they had beer almost every day. Then, to officially become part of the "Big Six" you had to pass initiation. That is where it all went down hill for Brian.
I thought the book was pretty bad because the ending makes you read the second book. Also because it was more about his life then football. About how he gets in trouble and how his problems come back to haunt him.

[Colin Q · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brian is a young man from Troy, Ohio. He plays for the high school of Troy called the Trojan's. His dad was one of the greatest there ever was on the Trojan's and now it was time for Brian and his friend Dylan to prove himself.
Brian's dad wants him to switch his position from linebacker to tight end so he can become part of the "Big Six". The "Big Six" were the most popular kids at the high school and it excluded of 3 RB's, 2 TE's, and a QB. They were also the maddest kids too because they had beer almost every day. Then, to officially become part of the "Big Six" you had to pass initiation. That is where it all went down hill for Brian.
I thought the book was pretty bad because the ending makes you read the second book. Also because it was more about his life then football. About how he gets in trouble and how his problems come back to haunt him.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this. Sure, it’s about football and maybe you don’t care for football, but it’s about more than that…much more.

Why? Because Brian Norwood whose dad was a high school star and is following in his dad’s steps, discovers some of the player ‘traditions’
deliberately break their code of honor and worse than that, they shame and humiliate innocent people.

And this is all so they will become ‘The Six’ – the best – and in many ways – the worst.

Brian struggles to see this clearly and to come to terms with it as well – hey! How many times have you – have any of us – hurt others – to make ourselves look terrific?

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read the first four of The Red Zone series, all a snippet of football life in Troy, Ohio as a Trojan football player in a place where football reigns supreme.

In this book, Brian is the focus of the story as well as what his father wants for him in succeeding through football and the price he might pay for that-- specifically getting in on a bet that ultimately bully/embarrasses his girlfriend by spreading a naked picture of her to be considered one of the cool 'Big Six' players. Though he realizes the price he is ultimately going to pay.

Simple books with a basic plot. Not so bad!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a no frills story about a town's deep rooted football traditions gone awry. Brian has made his way into his team's "big six" players...just as his dad had years before. Being part if this elite group,though,comes with a price. Is it all worth it in the end?

Patrick Jones' short novel is sure to speak to many a young man, making it a great choice for reluctant readers. The story does contain some questionable content, but it is handles in a dignified manner. I can see many junior high aged males loving this one.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brian plays football in a town that is crazy about their high school football team. He and his friend Dylan are starters and part of "The Big Six" which means they are worshipped even more than other members of the team. As part of The Big 6, though, they are also expected to participate in some long-standing traditions that have very questionable ethics attached to them.
A serviceable hi-lo football story, similar to Orca sports titles. The resolution of issues seems trite.

[Mrs. Ehlers · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Troy, Ohio, football is everything and the whole town is hoping for another state title. Brian, whose dad played for the Trojan's, now has his chance to show the town how well he can play. He's always dreamed of winning a state title but now he's not sure he's ready for everything that comes with being part of the team.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

Good story about sports, football, the consequences of bad decisions, following the in-crowd and not your beliefs. Quick read! Great for struggling readers or someone wanting a good short story.

[Mason Koons · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good start of the series the series sounds good the best part would be probably when the season starts

[JadynW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick Jones's Out Of The Tunnel surprised me by how good of a story line it had. In this book it talks about a football player that isn't the best but when he has the spotlight he really shows up and ends up doing big things for the team. Although he lets the "power" of the varsity starting spot get to him as he falls in to a bad crowd of friends that are not the best examples. This book has a clear lesson that I feel like it is trying to get at, Its showing how easy it is to fall in line with per pressure and how one bad choice can affect you and a lot of others. Things like what happen in this book are happening in real life in some high schools. Brain Norwood is the main character and he is used by his "friends" in this book for the personal needs but he doesn't even see it. In the story Brain becomes part of this group that had been doing Team traditions since his father had played but he doesn't fully think that what they are doing is okay. This is a very good book and I really did enjoy it, I would recommend reading it.

[Savon]

Though the sport of football is taking some serious lumps today, there are still those who think the players possess a mojo. As tight end, one of the elite, Brian Norwood is falling into peer pressure. In the book the best six players on the offensive team start this thing called the big six. The big six is when they do very bad things that could get them in a lot of trouble. Brian, who seems to be a good kid, somehow found himself in the big six but didn't know how it would work. Brian wasn't friends with the other five guys in the group, but ended up becoming friends with them in the long run, until they went to Shane's and they made some girls work the pole. While all of this was going on Shane decided to take a picture of one of the girls, and the girl that he snapped the picture of was Brian's girl. The picture somehow got spread all through out school, and you could probably guess Brian regrets joining the big six and wishes he would have just played defense and not of been in the group. Brian's girl had to transfer schools because she got made fun of to much, and he feels bad that that happened.