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Lorimer Sports Stories
Head Hunter
As captain of the Westside Warriors, Colt plays clean and hard. But lately his coach has been losing his temper and ordering the team to win at any cost, even if it means playing dirty. What makes it worse is that Coach is Colt's father, and his erratic behaviour at home and on the field has Colt wondering if something is seriously wrong with his dad.
Colt follows Coach's orders to go head hunting and take out an opponent with a helmet-to-helmet hit, but Coach then claims that Colt acted on his own. When it turns out that Colt's dad has symptoms from concussions he suffered in his NFL career, Colt is made acting coach for the championship game. But will he let a teammate continue playing after a hit to the head, even when the teammate's own dad is urging him to play through the pain?
This book explores the dangers of concussion in contact sports and the lasting damage they can cause in the context of an action-filled football story.
Colt follows Coach's orders to go head hunting and take out an opponent with a helmet-to-helmet hit, but Coach then claims that Colt acted on his own. When it turns out that Colt's dad has symptoms from concussions he suffered in his NFL career, Colt is made acting coach for the championship game. But will he let a teammate continue playing after a hit to the head, even when the teammate's own dad is urging him to play through the pain?
This book explores the dangers of concussion in contact sports and the lasting damage they can cause in the context of an action-filled football story.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Eric Howling
16 books3 followersERIC HOWLING is an advertising creative director living in Calgary. His novels in the Sports Stories series have been shortlisted for the Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, selected as a Resource Links' Year's Best, and selected as Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 6, 2016
NetGalley provided a copy of the ePub in exchange for an honest review.
What happens when a troubled coach coaches a star football player? What happens when the coach is his father?
Cody is the captain of his high school football team. His father played for the NFL and is the team’s coach. His father’s behaviour has changed and is noticeable. This topical book is a page-turner and explores many issues including but not limited to peer pressure, team pressure, secrets, lies, and concussions. The long-term effects of sports concussions are discussed and explored with compassion. The author brings the football games to life. Cody is a likeable character and exemplifies a person with integrity. Head Hunter would certainly lend itself to group discussions. Written for the reluctant reader but will be enjoyed by all. Football fans will enjoy this well-written novel.
What happens when a troubled coach coaches a star football player? What happens when the coach is his father?
Cody is the captain of his high school football team. His father played for the NFL and is the team’s coach. His father’s behaviour has changed and is noticeable. This topical book is a page-turner and explores many issues including but not limited to peer pressure, team pressure, secrets, lies, and concussions. The long-term effects of sports concussions are discussed and explored with compassion. The author brings the football games to life. Cody is a likeable character and exemplifies a person with integrity. Head Hunter would certainly lend itself to group discussions. Written for the reluctant reader but will be enjoyed by all. Football fans will enjoy this well-written novel.
April 10, 2016
I received a digital copy of Stay in the Game in exchange for my honest review.
As a teacher looking for books for sophomores, I need to set a relatively high standard for the material I suggest as worthy of their effort. "Head Hunter" did not meet my marks. I know that within just a few pages, my students will immediately see this story's outcome. Then add the fact that there are times the author's use of figurative language will make my, not so well read, students groan. Ex. "They flooded like a tidal wave into Warrior territory, leaving a path of first-down destruction in their wake." I found myself moaning at the overuse of descriptive words. Ex. "black microphone" and "the two teammates" They seem innoxious here, but, they were downright frustrating as I was reading.
The story itself has merit, sports injuries need to be understood and addressed, but every YA football novel written in the last two years has been about concussions. I was hoping for either more information or more story. "Head Hunter" was just a repeat of what is already available and not done nearly as well as several of the others.
As a teacher looking for books for sophomores, I need to set a relatively high standard for the material I suggest as worthy of their effort. "Head Hunter" did not meet my marks. I know that within just a few pages, my students will immediately see this story's outcome. Then add the fact that there are times the author's use of figurative language will make my, not so well read, students groan. Ex. "They flooded like a tidal wave into Warrior territory, leaving a path of first-down destruction in their wake." I found myself moaning at the overuse of descriptive words. Ex. "black microphone" and "the two teammates" They seem innoxious here, but, they were downright frustrating as I was reading.
The story itself has merit, sports injuries need to be understood and addressed, but every YA football novel written in the last two years has been about concussions. I was hoping for either more information or more story. "Head Hunter" was just a repeat of what is already available and not done nearly as well as several of the others.
May 1, 2016
Quick and easy YA sports read. My Rugby mad twelve year old enjoyed this book very much.
Amazon
Thanks to net Galley for the ARC of this book for an honest review.
Amazon
Thanks to net Galley for the ARC of this book for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews