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King of the Bench #2
Control Freak
In the second book of this new, highly illustrated middle grade series by the nationally syndicated cartoonist of “In the Bleachers,” Steve reprises his role as perpetual bench-warmer. Perfect for fans of Timmy Failure and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, King of the Bench is an ode to teammates, underdogs, and bench-warmers everywhere.
Steve is King of the Bench. No brag. That’s just a fact. And this season, Steve and his friends are ready to sit on the sidelines of the Spiro T. Agnew Middle school football field. But then they stumble upon an old-school video game controller, and they become convinced it can control sports plays. With it, Steve might become King of Football too!
Oh, and if you’re wondering why Steve would write a book and tell complete strangers about a mysterious magic device that pretty much controlled his first season on the football team, too bad! It’s a strict rule when writing a book that you have to build suspense first.
Steve is King of the Bench. No brag. That’s just a fact. And this season, Steve and his friends are ready to sit on the sidelines of the Spiro T. Agnew Middle school football field. But then they stumble upon an old-school video game controller, and they become convinced it can control sports plays. With it, Steve might become King of Football too!
Oh, and if you’re wondering why Steve would write a book and tell complete strangers about a mysterious magic device that pretty much controlled his first season on the football team, too bad! It’s a strict rule when writing a book that you have to build suspense first.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2017
8 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Steve Moore
16 books24 followersSTEVE MOORE
Moore is a writer, syndicated cartoonist, film creator/producer and former news executive. He created the comic "In the Bleachers," distributed to hundreds of newspapers and websites. At the The Los Angeles Times, Moore served as Exec. News Editor.
Moore co-created and wrote the original story for “Open Season” (Sony Pictures Animation.) He served as Exec. Producer. The film grossed nearly $200 million. The franchise has generated four DVD sequels.
He also created the animated film "Alpha & Omega" (Lionsgate Films.) Moore wrote the original story, screenplay and served as Producer. The franchise has generated seven DVD sequels.
Moore grew up in La Canada Flintridge, California. He graduated from Oregon State University and completed his masters degree at the University of Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 22, 2017
A Fine Sequel
This is the second book in the "King of the Bench" series. The first book was very entertaining, on many levels, and I was curious to see if Moore could maintain the charm, energy and clever humor that distinguished the series. At least for me the answer is "Yes", ("No brag. That's just a fact.")
This time out Steve and his two pals are lassoed into playing football for Spiro T. Agnew Middle School. The benchwarmers angle that powered the first book isn't really in play this time. Rather, the hook is that our hero, Steve, has come into possession of an old Nintendo64 controller that may "magically" control players. Since nobody actually believes that, it's really just a plot tease; the book is really about whether Steve and his pals can survive football, reach down to find the heroes inside, win the big game without any magical help, and maybe even get the girl.
So, add "The Longest Yard" and the football game from the movie "M.A.S.H.", put it in middle school, and sprinkle it with school daze angst, and you sort of have a sense of where this book goes.
As before, the real appeal is Steve's narration, and his manic digressions. The voice is something along the lines of "deadpan frantic". By that I mean that there are lots of dry, deadpan funny throwaway lines and observations, but they are somehow melded with a high-energy, upbeat, gee-whiz delivery. The result is very appealing. Steve sometimes comes across as oblivious and sort of a knucklehead, but also keenly observant and mordantly, (for a middle grader), funny. I think that is an extremely difficult tone to strike and maintain, but it is consistent throughout the book. Maybe it works because the author never goes for irony, is never sour, and never mocks his kid characters or the genre. He can slip in the occasional edgy line, but it's kid appropriate edgy, (that is, jokes about certain teachers, the gross coach, Steve's over protective Mom, and so on).
The upshot is that this struck me as a fine, entertaining and young reader friendly series. It's funny, good-natured, and big-hearted, which is pretty much the most you could ask for.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This is the second book in the "King of the Bench" series. The first book was very entertaining, on many levels, and I was curious to see if Moore could maintain the charm, energy and clever humor that distinguished the series. At least for me the answer is "Yes", ("No brag. That's just a fact.")
This time out Steve and his two pals are lassoed into playing football for Spiro T. Agnew Middle School. The benchwarmers angle that powered the first book isn't really in play this time. Rather, the hook is that our hero, Steve, has come into possession of an old Nintendo64 controller that may "magically" control players. Since nobody actually believes that, it's really just a plot tease; the book is really about whether Steve and his pals can survive football, reach down to find the heroes inside, win the big game without any magical help, and maybe even get the girl.
So, add "The Longest Yard" and the football game from the movie "M.A.S.H.", put it in middle school, and sprinkle it with school daze angst, and you sort of have a sense of where this book goes.
As before, the real appeal is Steve's narration, and his manic digressions. The voice is something along the lines of "deadpan frantic". By that I mean that there are lots of dry, deadpan funny throwaway lines and observations, but they are somehow melded with a high-energy, upbeat, gee-whiz delivery. The result is very appealing. Steve sometimes comes across as oblivious and sort of a knucklehead, but also keenly observant and mordantly, (for a middle grader), funny. I think that is an extremely difficult tone to strike and maintain, but it is consistent throughout the book. Maybe it works because the author never goes for irony, is never sour, and never mocks his kid characters or the genre. He can slip in the occasional edgy line, but it's kid appropriate edgy, (that is, jokes about certain teachers, the gross coach, Steve's over protective Mom, and so on).
The upshot is that this struck me as a fine, entertaining and young reader friendly series. It's funny, good-natured, and big-hearted, which is pretty much the most you could ask for.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
March 17, 2018
Moore, Steve King of the Bench : Control Freak, 213 pages. Harper Collins, 2017. $14. Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’) Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
Steve is now on the football team! He was sure his parents would be against it, but when they weren’t he was stuck - so he’s the place kicker ball holder (less chance of getting hurt than in other positions.) Well, on the first day of school, Steve trades his eskimo pie with Billionaire Bill - the homeless guy at the stadium for an old N64 controller. There seems to be magic in the controller, because Steve can turn it on and actually control the movements of people with it. He helps a shy girl navigate the crowded lunchroom, an old lady cross a busy street, but should he use it to win the game? Is it cheating to use magic in football?
This is a silly book, full of cartoons - a lot like Wimpy Kid - and will appeal to the same audience. Full of boy humor and the dangers and guffaws of football, romance (did you know when a girl kicks you in the shin she likes you?), and teamwork. This fun read will grab your Captain Underpants and Timmy Failure readers. Start collecting the whole series.
MS - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Steve is now on the football team! He was sure his parents would be against it, but when they weren’t he was stuck - so he’s the place kicker ball holder (less chance of getting hurt than in other positions.) Well, on the first day of school, Steve trades his eskimo pie with Billionaire Bill - the homeless guy at the stadium for an old N64 controller. There seems to be magic in the controller, because Steve can turn it on and actually control the movements of people with it. He helps a shy girl navigate the crowded lunchroom, an old lady cross a busy street, but should he use it to win the game? Is it cheating to use magic in football?
This is a silly book, full of cartoons - a lot like Wimpy Kid - and will appeal to the same audience. Full of boy humor and the dangers and guffaws of football, romance (did you know when a girl kicks you in the shin she likes you?), and teamwork. This fun read will grab your Captain Underpants and Timmy Failure readers. Start collecting the whole series.
MS - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
February 8, 2018
Steve is now on the football team! He was sure his parents would be against it, but when they weren’t he was stuck - so he’s the place kicker ball holder (less chance of getting hurt than in other positions.) Well, on the first day of school, Steve trades his eskimo pie with Billionaire Bill - the homeless guy at the stadium for an old N64 controller. There seems to be magic in the controller, because Steve can turn it on and actually control the movements of people with it. He helps a shy girl navigate the crowded lunchroom, an old lady cross a busy street, but should he use it to win the game? Is it cheating to use magic in football?
This is a silly book, full of cartoons - a lot like Wimpy Kid - and will appeal to the same audience. Full of boy humor and the dangers and guffaws of football, romance (did you know when a girl kicks you in the shin she likes you?), and teamwork. This fun read will grab your Captain Underpants and Timmy Failure readers. Start collecting the whole series.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
This is a silly book, full of cartoons - a lot like Wimpy Kid - and will appeal to the same audience. Full of boy humor and the dangers and guffaws of football, romance (did you know when a girl kicks you in the shin she likes you?), and teamwork. This fun read will grab your Captain Underpants and Timmy Failure readers. Start collecting the whole series.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
November 3, 2017
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
I am not into sports neither am I an 8-12 year old who is the intended audience of this book, but I still find this book entertaining and humorous. I read the first one in this series as well and thought it was well-written and funny too.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it perpetuates the idea that if someone picks on you, then they like you. That stereotype has been around for so long and I'd really like to see it go away.
I would recommend this book to 8-12 year olds who are into football, video games, and humor.
I am not into sports neither am I an 8-12 year old who is the intended audience of this book, but I still find this book entertaining and humorous. I read the first one in this series as well and thought it was well-written and funny too.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it perpetuates the idea that if someone picks on you, then they like you. That stereotype has been around for so long and I'd really like to see it go away.
I would recommend this book to 8-12 year olds who are into football, video games, and humor.
May 29, 2018
Steve visits his 3rd favorite adult role model, Billionaire Bill, and trades an Eskimo Pie for an original N64 video game controller. After making the football team, Steve seems to think his N64 is magic, and helping the team win, but with each victory, comes a price. As he remember's Bill's words of wisdom, "Control Your Own Life", Steve decides to take control, and make the most of his situation.
July 16, 2017
On your marks, get set, sit! That's right the King of the Bench is back and sitting on the sidelines during football season. Control Freak is another laugh out loud entry in the the King of the Bench series.
April 17, 2019
Love this series for my sport-loving students.
November 24, 2025
Fun reading this to Tito and G. G had already read it. It was fun to hear G’s little giggle every time I said, “Derp”.
June 22, 2025
I think that this book has such a interesting story, and after I read it all I wanted to do was to read the next one. This story is about a boy named Steve and his two friends Carlos and Joey. When a popular athlete at the school they go to has them cave into peer pressure, it forces the three of them to go out for their school football team. Steve also comes into possession of a magical video game controller that gives him power to control what people do. In his football season he tries to use it to help his team and it does, but it always has a side affect of injuring the person he controls. Will his team still be good whiteout the controller or not?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2019
Clever and witty book for middle grade sports enthusiasts! I know several students who will devour this book. Steve happens across an “antique” to help his daily life and school team, but some “antiques” have more power than meets the eye! Perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid, Timmy Failure, and The Terrible Two series.
October 4, 2017
it was a very different story than the first one. I liked it a lot better
March 6, 2019
Dexter (10yo) read.
Read
June 8, 2017Reviewing professionally.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews