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Goalkeeper
In this page-turning follow-up to the modern-day classic Tangerine, an underdog kid from a troubled home navigates a tumultuous summer while finding friendship and confidence on the soccer field.
Paul Fisher is eager to leave his rich-kid private school and get back to Tangerine Middle, where he’d found acceptance as the goalkeeper of the War Eagles, the toughest soccer team in the county. First, though, he must survive the summer at home, where lightning strikes spark underground fires that never go out and a tropical storm provides cover for criminals—including his own brother.
Then a new crisis unfolds, and Paul must testify against one of the War Eagles in a criminal case. Suddenly, the lessons about Truth vs. Loyalty and Justice vs. Mercy that Sister Catherine taught at Saint Anthony’s Prep don’t seem so theoretical anymore. In fact, they might be just what Paul needs to figure out how to fight an unjust legal system and stay true to himself and his teammates.
Paul Fisher is eager to leave his rich-kid private school and get back to Tangerine Middle, where he’d found acceptance as the goalkeeper of the War Eagles, the toughest soccer team in the county. First, though, he must survive the summer at home, where lightning strikes spark underground fires that never go out and a tropical storm provides cover for criminals—including his own brother.
Then a new crisis unfolds, and Paul must testify against one of the War Eagles in a criminal case. Suddenly, the lessons about Truth vs. Loyalty and Justice vs. Mercy that Sister Catherine taught at Saint Anthony’s Prep don’t seem so theoretical anymore. In fact, they might be just what Paul needs to figure out how to fight an unjust legal system and stay true to himself and his teammates.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2025
6 people are currently reading
3592 people want to read
About the author
Edward Bloor
24 books146 followersEdward (William) Bloor
Personal Information: Born October 12, 1950, in Trenton, NJ; son of Edward William and Mary (Cowley) Bloor; married Pamela Dixon (a teacher), August 4, 1984. Father to a daughter and a son. Education: Fordham University, B.A., 1973.
Career: Novelist and editor. English teacher in Florida public high schools, 1983-86; Harcourt Brace School Publishers, Orlando, FL, senior editor, beginning 1986.
* Tangerine, Harcourt Brace (San Diego, CA), 1997.
* Crusader, Harcourt Brace (San Diego, CA), 1999.
* Story Time, Harcourt (Orlando, FL), 2004.
* London Calling, Knopf (New York, NY), 2006.
* Taken, Knopf (New York, NY,) 2007.
Media Adaptations:
Tangerine audiobook, Recorded Books, 2001.
Story Time audiobook, Recorded Books, 2005.
London Calling audiobook, Recorded Books, 2006.
Personal Information: Born October 12, 1950, in Trenton, NJ; son of Edward William and Mary (Cowley) Bloor; married Pamela Dixon (a teacher), August 4, 1984. Father to a daughter and a son. Education: Fordham University, B.A., 1973.
Career: Novelist and editor. English teacher in Florida public high schools, 1983-86; Harcourt Brace School Publishers, Orlando, FL, senior editor, beginning 1986.
* Tangerine, Harcourt Brace (San Diego, CA), 1997.
* Crusader, Harcourt Brace (San Diego, CA), 1999.
* Story Time, Harcourt (Orlando, FL), 2004.
* London Calling, Knopf (New York, NY), 2006.
* Taken, Knopf (New York, NY,) 2007.
Media Adaptations:
Tangerine audiobook, Recorded Books, 2001.
Story Time audiobook, Recorded Books, 2005.
London Calling audiobook, Recorded Books, 2006.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 9, 2025
A moving middle grade novel about a Florida Jewish teen from a troubled home who makes a mistake but has the courage to do the right thing in the end. This had great lessons about racism, second chances and taking the time to investigate one's own biases. It was also good on audio and definitely worth the read! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
November 20, 2025
This book was so amazing! I loved it so much. I was pleasantly surprised that there was a second book coming out so many years later. The characters are so wholesome it reminded me a lot of Gary D. Schmidt. There was a lot of hard, and there were points where I wanted to hit some of the character with their own book. Over all, I loved this book.
July 29, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this sequel to the 1997 book Tangerine, we catch up with Paul Fisher in Florida. His brother, Erik, is under house arrest after a robbery that left a young man dead, even though the cause of death was listed as a brain aneurysm. Paul was expelledd from Tangerine Middle School, where he was on the soccer team, and is currently enrolled at St. Anthony's, because the expulsion covers every school in the county. He makes friends with Jeffrey Kaplan when he protects the younger boy from being bullied, and spends time hanging out with him. He also goes to the eye doctor for new glasses, and his eyesight has recuperated enough (from Erik having thrown paint in his face when he was five) that he no longer has very thick glasses. Paul's grandparents visit from Ohio to tell the family that the grandfather has stage four lung cancer and is planning his funeral and burial in Florida. There are new neighbors, the McCarthy's, who are opening up a franchise of a sub shop. The father asks Mr. Fisher for help establishing contacts, but Paul is very concerned about the children, Connor and Caitlin, who seem to have criminal leanings. Caitlin often asks Paul for "protection", but Connor has stolen money from Erik. When Tropical Storm Ann hits the area, Erik and his accomplice Arthur threaten to beat Paul and damage his new glasses, but Jeffrey (who has been studying martial arts) saves Paul from being beaten. Erik and Arthur run off, and the Fishers wash their hands of him. The McCarthy's have the opening of their shop, but there is no food, and Connor claims that he has been robbed when he was closing up. One of Paul's teammates from Tangerine, Luka Guzman, is seen running away from the shop, and arrested for the theft. The Fishers get a call that Erik has been arrested in Houston, and go to see him. Meanwhile, Paul realizes that the McCarthy's has staged the theft and framed Luka, so Paul tells the police that he lied about seeing Luka, and spends the night in jail. He gets help from Jeffrey's mother, who is a youth lawyer. In the end, the McCarthy's leave town, Erik and Arthur go to jail, and Paul goes back to Tangerine Middle School to play soccer.
Strengths: At one point in time, Tangerine was a popular title that was used as a class novel, and which won a number of awards. It was quirky and innovative, and beloved by soccer fans. The storyline with Erik's legal trouble, and his mistreatment of Paul, is something that is unusual for middle grade. The McCarthy's scams that fleece so many people in the neighborhood are vaguely reminiscent of Korman's Faker. The story moves fairly quickly, and the book is not very long. Paul is an engaging characters, and I was glad that his eyesight had improved.
Weaknesses: It was hard to tell when this book was set. The cars mentioned were older (the Buick LeSabre hasn't been produced since 2005), the father mentions have a high lottery number for Vietnam, and there are other things that make this seem like an older title. The writing style reminded me of Robert Cormier for no specific reason that I can describe. The Home Owners Association gets a lot more mentions than one would expect for a middle grade book. There is no soccer played.
What I really think: I am always curious as to why publishers come release sequels years after books are published; Holt's 1999 When Zachary Beaver Came to town was followed by the 2021 Ambassador of Nowhere, Texas, and Schmidt's 2007 The Wednesday War was followed by the 2021 Just Like That. I weeded Tangerine years ago, after the teacher who loved it retired, in part because the cover art was very much in the style of the 1990s. I won't be purchasing this new title.
In this sequel to the 1997 book Tangerine, we catch up with Paul Fisher in Florida. His brother, Erik, is under house arrest after a robbery that left a young man dead, even though the cause of death was listed as a brain aneurysm. Paul was expelledd from Tangerine Middle School, where he was on the soccer team, and is currently enrolled at St. Anthony's, because the expulsion covers every school in the county. He makes friends with Jeffrey Kaplan when he protects the younger boy from being bullied, and spends time hanging out with him. He also goes to the eye doctor for new glasses, and his eyesight has recuperated enough (from Erik having thrown paint in his face when he was five) that he no longer has very thick glasses. Paul's grandparents visit from Ohio to tell the family that the grandfather has stage four lung cancer and is planning his funeral and burial in Florida. There are new neighbors, the McCarthy's, who are opening up a franchise of a sub shop. The father asks Mr. Fisher for help establishing contacts, but Paul is very concerned about the children, Connor and Caitlin, who seem to have criminal leanings. Caitlin often asks Paul for "protection", but Connor has stolen money from Erik. When Tropical Storm Ann hits the area, Erik and his accomplice Arthur threaten to beat Paul and damage his new glasses, but Jeffrey (who has been studying martial arts) saves Paul from being beaten. Erik and Arthur run off, and the Fishers wash their hands of him. The McCarthy's have the opening of their shop, but there is no food, and Connor claims that he has been robbed when he was closing up. One of Paul's teammates from Tangerine, Luka Guzman, is seen running away from the shop, and arrested for the theft. The Fishers get a call that Erik has been arrested in Houston, and go to see him. Meanwhile, Paul realizes that the McCarthy's has staged the theft and framed Luka, so Paul tells the police that he lied about seeing Luka, and spends the night in jail. He gets help from Jeffrey's mother, who is a youth lawyer. In the end, the McCarthy's leave town, Erik and Arthur go to jail, and Paul goes back to Tangerine Middle School to play soccer.
Strengths: At one point in time, Tangerine was a popular title that was used as a class novel, and which won a number of awards. It was quirky and innovative, and beloved by soccer fans. The storyline with Erik's legal trouble, and his mistreatment of Paul, is something that is unusual for middle grade. The McCarthy's scams that fleece so many people in the neighborhood are vaguely reminiscent of Korman's Faker. The story moves fairly quickly, and the book is not very long. Paul is an engaging characters, and I was glad that his eyesight had improved.
Weaknesses: It was hard to tell when this book was set. The cars mentioned were older (the Buick LeSabre hasn't been produced since 2005), the father mentions have a high lottery number for Vietnam, and there are other things that make this seem like an older title. The writing style reminded me of Robert Cormier for no specific reason that I can describe. The Home Owners Association gets a lot more mentions than one would expect for a middle grade book. There is no soccer played.
What I really think: I am always curious as to why publishers come release sequels years after books are published; Holt's 1999 When Zachary Beaver Came to town was followed by the 2021 Ambassador of Nowhere, Texas, and Schmidt's 2007 The Wednesday War was followed by the 2021 Just Like That. I weeded Tangerine years ago, after the teacher who loved it retired, in part because the cover art was very much in the style of the 1990s. I won't be purchasing this new title.
October 3, 2025
Who says you can’t go back to middle school? Paul Fischer does it with heart, humor, and just enough chaos to keep you hooked.
Well, young Paul Fischer sure managed to stay in middle school for a long time! This book is the sequel to 1997’s Tangerine—a much-loved middle grade classic that I admittedly haven’t read. The good news? You don’t need to. Even jumping straight into the sequel, it’s easy to catch up, and you’re never left confused (even for a younger reader).
The story is fast-paced, endearing, and full of the kind of moments that will hook middle grade readers right away. I especially appreciated that while the book weaves in several important life lessons, it never feels heavy-handed. At its core, it’s still a fun, engaging story that kids will want to keep turning the pages on.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Trevor Goble, who did an outstanding job. He captured an age-appropriate tone without ever slipping into caricature, and his pacing was spot on—slow enough for young listeners to follow, but still dynamic and expressive. Plus, it holds up beautifully when played at a faster speed without losing clarity or heart.
Releasing October 14th, this one is a great pick for both home and school libraries. Whether it ends up on a school shelf or a nightstand, this story will stick with readers long after the final page.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC or eARC from via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
Well, young Paul Fischer sure managed to stay in middle school for a long time! This book is the sequel to 1997’s Tangerine—a much-loved middle grade classic that I admittedly haven’t read. The good news? You don’t need to. Even jumping straight into the sequel, it’s easy to catch up, and you’re never left confused (even for a younger reader).
The story is fast-paced, endearing, and full of the kind of moments that will hook middle grade readers right away. I especially appreciated that while the book weaves in several important life lessons, it never feels heavy-handed. At its core, it’s still a fun, engaging story that kids will want to keep turning the pages on.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Trevor Goble, who did an outstanding job. He captured an age-appropriate tone without ever slipping into caricature, and his pacing was spot on—slow enough for young listeners to follow, but still dynamic and expressive. Plus, it holds up beautifully when played at a faster speed without losing clarity or heart.
Releasing October 14th, this one is a great pick for both home and school libraries. Whether it ends up on a school shelf or a nightstand, this story will stick with readers long after the final page.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC or eARC from via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
October 31, 2025
Regardless of whether you love or hate Tangerine, it is a novel that gets kids to talk, gets them invested to find out what happens next and brings out strong feelings. Even three years later, students are still talking about Tangerine. While I don’t like it because it infuriates me as a teacher and educator, I cannot deny the power of a book where kids can recall minute details years later. When they announced the sequel, I couldn’t wait to tell my 7th grade munchkins as I knew they would have much to say about it. And chirp they did. The novel was immediately checked out of my library and a rotation plan made for who would read it next. I may have to buy another copy to put into circulation.
This book picks up where the last one left off. Erik and Arthur are sentenced to house arrest which leaves a sense of just how broken the justice system is and just how broken the Fisher family is. Paul wants to go back to play soccer for Tangerine Middle School and his parents are not thrilled. A new family moves into Lake Windsor Downs and causes drama.
I didn’t love this sequel. I did more shaking of my head. We will see if the kids chirp about this one as much as they did about the first one.
This book picks up where the last one left off. Erik and Arthur are sentenced to house arrest which leaves a sense of just how broken the justice system is and just how broken the Fisher family is. Paul wants to go back to play soccer for Tangerine Middle School and his parents are not thrilled. A new family moves into Lake Windsor Downs and causes drama.
I didn’t love this sequel. I did more shaking of my head. We will see if the kids chirp about this one as much as they did about the first one.
November 7, 2025
Goalkeeper — the long-awaited follow-up to the classic novel Tangerine was published this month. In this story, Paul hopes to return to his old middle school, Tangerine, and play soccer again for the War Eagles. But first, he must make it through a challenging summer with his complicated family.
Over the summer, Paul reflects on lessons he learned in Sister Catherine’s class at Saint Anthony’s School — especially about Truth vs. Loyalty and Justice vs. Mercy. He strives to live honestly and speak the truth, but when his father’s business venture begins to fail, Paul faces tough choices that test his values and sense of loyalty to the War Eagles.
While Goalkeeper centers less on soccer and more on family, friendship, and personal growth, it offers an engaging and emotional story. Some events are difficult, but they are handled thoughtfully. Narrator Trevor Goble delivers a fantastic performance, perfectly capturing the voice and spirit of a middle school student with energy and authenticity.
Thank you to HarperAudio Children’s and NetGalley for the advance listening copy of Goalkeeper. All opinions expressed are my own.
Over the summer, Paul reflects on lessons he learned in Sister Catherine’s class at Saint Anthony’s School — especially about Truth vs. Loyalty and Justice vs. Mercy. He strives to live honestly and speak the truth, but when his father’s business venture begins to fail, Paul faces tough choices that test his values and sense of loyalty to the War Eagles.
While Goalkeeper centers less on soccer and more on family, friendship, and personal growth, it offers an engaging and emotional story. Some events are difficult, but they are handled thoughtfully. Narrator Trevor Goble delivers a fantastic performance, perfectly capturing the voice and spirit of a middle school student with energy and authenticity.
Thank you to HarperAudio Children’s and NetGalley for the advance listening copy of Goalkeeper. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 21, 2025
Paul can not wait to leave the private school and get beck to Tangerine where he can be a War Eagle again. But first he has to make it through summer. Where lightening can hit in more ways than one and brings one boy, Paul, to more understand the justice system and how it works better for some than others. But will it have him back on the outside of his team his war eagles?
If you liked Tangerine (the first book) than this one will be just as good and if you haven’t read Tangerine yet it is ok this can as be a standalone, but I am willing to bet you’ll want to go back and read it anyways. This book has action but has so much more suspense in it, I could not put it down until I finished but I was still looking for more. I really hope we see more of Paul in the near future, these books are so powerful.
This review copy was provided by netgalley
If you liked Tangerine (the first book) than this one will be just as good and if you haven’t read Tangerine yet it is ok this can as be a standalone, but I am willing to bet you’ll want to go back and read it anyways. This book has action but has so much more suspense in it, I could not put it down until I finished but I was still looking for more. I really hope we see more of Paul in the near future, these books are so powerful.
This review copy was provided by netgalley
October 14, 2025
In this quick read and sequel to Tangerine, Paul has just finished his 7th grade year at his fancy private school, but he can’t wait to get back to the public school where he was a part of the championship soccer team–and also where he was unfairly expelled for the remainder of the school year. This book is much more than a sports story, with Paul struggling with concepts like truth vs loyalty and justice vs mercy and how that relates to his older brother (who is home on house arrest) and events in the community (robberies, inequalities of demographics, bullying, etc.) This can be read without reading Tangerine, and only a few things stick out as taking place in the 1990s, making this still relevant today. Highly recommended for upper elementary and middle school.
October 25, 2025
This book isn’t so much about soccer as it is about a goalie living his life during the summer. About friendship and family relationships and the awful, good, and strange things that people do in the world. His past and even his present life is pretty intense, mostly because of the choices of others and how they affect him. The themes of mercy/justice and ethical dilemmas are discussed through dialogue and shown through the actions of characters. I enjoyed the book very much, but I would say that because of some intense moments, be careful of possible triggers for some people.
July 12, 2025
So much more than a book about sports! A great book for middle school students - so much to unpack about injustices in our world. Don't pick up this book unless you have the time to finish it as you won't want to put it down. Excited for the release date so I can get this into the hands of students!
Thank you Clarion Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Clarion Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 23, 2025
Fans of Tangerine will be thrilled to see Goalkeeper pick up where that book left off. Paul’s brother Eric is still a problem for him, and Paul is still bouncing around from school to school. But just like Tangerine, this book is built on more than one ethical dilemma. Again, Paul seems to be wiser than many of the adults on his life. Such a satisfying, five-star read that I can’t wait to add to our shelves.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.
November 7, 2025
i was expecting a little more. paul has grown older and his problems have gotten much more serious. but the tone never made me get into that mood or emotionally connect with what should have been the intensity of the situations. paul's "revised" family seemed happy at the end of the book, so that was satisfying.
August 3, 2025
If I could give this book 100 stars I would! Answered every question I had from the first book and exceeded my expectations by far! If you haven’t already read Tangerine, go read it so you can read this one or else <3
November 30, 2025
Can’t believe he published a sequel so many years later, but this was everything I wanted. My students are going to love this. Short and sweet, but just like with Tangerine, so many layers packed together beautifully.
November 3, 2025
Loved going back to Tangerine, but it was too short!
November 20, 2025
Definitely not as good as the original. Way too short to develop anything.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews