Game Change

by Joseph Monninger

Seventeen-year-old Zeb Holloway is happy to work in his uncle’s auto repair shop and cruise through school without much effort. He’s a quarterback on his high school’s undefeated football team, but he never plays. Why would he when T.T. Munroe—a walking, talking highlight reel—is around? That is, until T.T’s injured a week before the state championships. Now Zeb is starting. As he assumes the role of QB and team leader, the entire town is watching him. And when a college recruiter says Zeb could have a future beyond his small New Hampshire town, he realizes there’s a bigger life out there for him . . . if he can play his heart out. 

Genres: Sports, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Teen, Fiction, High School

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2017

About the author

Joseph Monninger was an American writer and Professor of English at Plymouth State University. He lived in Warren, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coming-of-age tale, which evoked the quiet spirit of Friday Night Lights.



Zeb was content. He was finishing high school, helping his uncle at the shop, hunting deer with his best friend, and being the back-up QB for his high school team. Then the team's star got injured in the second to last game of the season, Zeb was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.

The responsibility of leading his team in the state championship game made Zeb take a good hard look at his life and himself. His eyes were opened to so many things, and he began exploring his future. He realized that some of the things he thought he wanted were not right for him, and he opened his mind and heart to other possibilities. He also acknowledged some things he didn't recognize as positive things in his life, and all of this showed a ton of growth.

Monninger created a super likable MC with Zeb. I was rooting for him and cheering every time he made a good decision or took a step in the right direction. I kept reading because I cared about Zeb. The book was also filled with a bunch of other colorful characters. Zeb's uncle and best friend provided a lot of humor, as well as an interesting look into the way people live in rural settings. I grew up in Brooklyn, so I found those bits very interesting. Aside from Zeb, my favorite character was Ferron. The moments she shared with Zeb on page, were among my favorites of the books.

This book was a quiet read, and really captured that tone of Friday Night Lights. It does not hit you over the head, because Zeb is not that type of guy. I don't have a problem with that approach, however, I am known for being big on endings. I think I understand the point that Monninger was making with the ending, but I will not lie, I kept swiping on my Kindle, looking for more. I get that in a quiet way, which matches the tone of the whole book, Zeb was acknowledging his life and being totally honest with himself and those around him, but I personally needed a little bit more there.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's a nice change of pace for me and I found it to be a very thoughtful coming of age story.

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[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you've wanted a main character that's a mix between Matt Saracen and Lucas Scott, here you go. Kind of. Zeb is the backup QB who needs to go into the game after the heavily recruited starter gets horribly injured during a game. Zeb also lives with his single mom and works with his uncle in an auto shop. Intentionally or not, the author made Zeb an amalgam of 2 main characters from 2 of the biggest sports shows of the aughts.

That being said, the book itself works. I've been trying to find a football book similar in feel to FNL for years and this is the closest I've come. Granted as a YA book, it doesn't quite capture the raw emotion and 3D characters of FNL. The speeches Coach K gave were reminiscent to the Coach Taylor speeches, but since he's not as developed a character, the impact doesn't resonate as much.

The love interest storylines happened quickly and a bit out of nowhere. This book spans a week but felt like it needed more time to really grab you and make you care. The same can be said about every relationship in the book.

The book itself is fine, but at 208 pages runs a bit short.

3.75 stars rounds to 4.

[Jackie]

DNF @ 15%.

I feel so bad for DNFing books but why should I keep reading if the first few chapters don't interest me???

From what I gathered, Game Change is a book that takes place over 7 days. During a football game, star quarterback T.T. injures his leg and won't be able to keep playing for at least a couple months. Some sort of football championship takes place in a weeks time, which is why the main protagonist Zeb has to step in and take over T.T. position as quarterback.

I requested this book on Netgalley months ago, but I have to admit that I didn't actually read the synposis. I was intrigued by the cover because I haven't read a book about football before! We don't have football here in Germany so I was excited about this one! I think my mistake was not reading the synopsis because my expectations were super high and I already kind of made up a story in my head about what this book could possibly deal with?????? Stupid, I know.

Anyway, I read the first chapter and it wasn't bad by any means—I personally just couldn't connect with the main character! I seem to have a hard time connecting with male characters in genereal, especially if they're not extremely well-developed!

So, I guess you could say this was a "it's not you, it's me" thing. I feel like fans of football would actually really enjoy this novel! It uses a lot of football terms and there's talks with the coach and stuff which was nice! I just made the mistake of thinking this novel was going to be something it's not and having high expectations that weren't met.

Apparently, there's also a love interest (god, I hope it's not Stella aka the girlfriend of the injured quarterback because that would just be BAD) and from a review I've seen, it develops quickly and unrealistically which makes sense because this novel does take place over a week—so I'm assuming it'd be very insta-lovey!

DNFed and no star rating because I didn't finish it!

*Thanks to HMH Books for Young Readers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review! This did not affect my opinion in any way!*

[Tim Weed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph Monninger is a master storyteller with an understated and cumulatively beautiful prose style. His latest, Game Change, is one of the best sports novels I’ve ever read. It’s one of the best young adult novels too—but I want to point out that it transcends both categories: it’s bigger than simply a sports novel or a young adult novel. It’s a gripping, profound, and deeply moving novel about friendship, family loyalty, and what it means to be alive.

Game Change is a page-turner, but it’s also one that takes you by surprise in subtle ways. It serves up a vivid portrait of small-town New Hampshire peopled by characters as interesting and sympathetic as any you’ll find in fiction. Characters that feel like your friends. For me, this was one of those rare novels that I was sorry to finish. It left tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, and at the same time it left me with the exhilarated sense of having been immeasurably enriched and enlarged by the reading experience. What more can you ask?

If you’re expecting a straightforward novel of football triumph, you may be disappointed by this book. But if you allow yourself to read it with an open heart, you’ll reap rewards that can only be offered by great and enduring works of literature. Highly, highly recommended.

[Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a pretty normal high school student. He works in his uncle's auto shop and he goes hunting somewhere in New Hampshire. He is also a backup quarterback on his amazing football team. So he seems pretty normal, all until one night where everything changes in just one snap. On Zeb's football team, the main attraction, the highlight reel, their star qb who lead their team to an undefeated season, had a nasty injury which changed the course of their season in an instant. It was all the sudden Zeb's time to shine and show everyone he wasn't just a backup.
In my opinion, this book is a very well explained story of an underdog finally getting his chance to shine. It has an underlying meaning/moral that no matter what your doing or if your not the best at something, just keep on trying and never give up because you never know when your up next!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I was voluntarily provided a complimentary review copy by the publisher.

I was nervous going in as I know nothing about American football, but despite being more technical than I expected I was swept up in the riveting story and didn't feel lost at all.
The gritty and complex characters with their tough outer shells were so well developed that they came to life as they showed the reader inch by inch their inner souls.

[Savannah]

**Spoilers**
This book is very well written. It has drawn me in. Zeb the main character is probably my favorite. He has gone through a lot of things throughout his life. This book is right up my alley with the kind of books I like sports and life changes. Zeb has this one really good friend that has been there through everything. Zed has been the backup quarterback for 3 years but the star quarterback gets hurts at the end of the 4th quarter. The game that he got hurt in was the state qualifying game. Zeb suddenly became the talk of the town. This part really drew me in because it made me curious about what would happen to Zeb and how he would handle having to play as starting quarterback for the state championship game. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes sportsbooks or a little drama.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sports book that follows the interior thought of a boy suddenly thrust into the QB position for a single, championship game, and how that sudden promotions propels him into taking himself and his future more seriously, even if that future doesn't include football. Football is a tool for understanding oneself, not an end it itself for this guy.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but solid read. I really like sports books so I probably rated this a little higher. I got some serious Friday Night Lights (Book, not the show) vibes from this. I wish it was a little longer and fleshed out some other points of view, but a good read.

[Jesus Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book, probably one of the best books i've ever read. It's a really interesting book especially if you're interested in sports books. This book hooked me up just by reading the first page really good book.

[Gavin Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In class I read the book "Game Change" by Joseph Monninger. I has to be the best book I've ever read in my life. My least favorite character in this story would have to be Stella. the reason of that is becuase she is jsut a not so nice person. She didn't enjoy the time she had with Zeb. She also made fun of how he had to live. The story kinda went by slow. It spans over a week of Zebs life. A connection I can make is that, I'm a high school student and so are they chracters in this story. Also I play varsity football. Lastly I would honestly suggest this book to pretty much anyone who likes to read about football, and high school life.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zeb is a senior in high school and a quarterback on the football team in rural New Hampshire. However, he doesn't get much playing time as the first string QB has brought the team all the way to the state championships, which are in 7 days. However, an accident takes him out so Zeb gets brought up to take his place. Zeb has never gotten much attention before but now he is high profile due to this unexpected chance. It brings about some unexpected consequences as well as a lot of pressure.
Football fans will enjoy, so great for readers of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.
Some swearing, a little bit of kissing, and also some deer hunting - so don't give this to your animal lovers.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Game Change by Joseph Monninger, 225 pages, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017, $18.

Language: R (54 swears, 11 “f”); Mature Content PG-13 (sexual references); Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Seventeen-year-old Zeb Holloway is the back-up quarterback to the most talented QB in his high school’s history, T.T. Munroe. Zeb has had limited playing time in his team’s undefeated season until T.T. sustains a leg injury one week before the state championship game. Zeb is suddenly thrust into the limelight and must take on the role of team leader. The novel covers the seven days from T.T.’s injury to the state playoff game.

Zeb’s character grows as he comes to grips with his humble living conditions and family dynamics in New Hampshire’s backwoods. The dialogue is stilted, but maybe that’s how football coaches talk. There was some nice tension building to game time. This is a coming of age story about a kid who has a lot riding on his shoulders and what one football game might mean, so there isn’t a ton of football action. If you’ve ever been swept up in the drama of high school sports or just finding your way in the world, you’ll want to catch this, but if you’re looking for blow-by-blow game highlights, it’s a first down.

Michelle in the Middle
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...

[Riley Humphreys]

Game Change by Joseph Monninger was published on September 12, 2017. The book is about a seven teen year old boy, who ends up getting a chance to play quarterback for the state championship game after the original quarterback gets injured. A reason why I liked the book because, it let me imagine that I was in the shoes of a guy that was my age in high school getting the chance to have the popularity of the whole school as well as the whole town. Also, the book was very informative and practical because it allowed for you to witness what an athlete in high school goes through, the closer the big game comes.

The book is mainly focused on a seventeen year old boy named Zed Holloway, who lives in a small town in Grafton County New Hampshire. The story starts off during a football game on Saturday. Also, at the beginning of the book the main character Zeb is looking to the crowd to see the college scout that are there for the main quarterback T.T. Monroe, when he looks back at the field, he catches the last few seconds of TT's injury occur. The author uses a lot of things that would happen if you were in the position of either Zeb or T.T.

What I liked the most about the book was all of the action that was going on as well as the characters development from the beginning of the story to the end. The language level of the book is excellent as it goes on. The book becomes very suspenseful as it gets closer towards the end because he comes home and awaits for his mother's return, and it makes me wonder if anything else is going to happen. When I talk about the character development , I mean at the beginning of the story Zeb starts out as this second string quarterback and finally gets the chance to play after the starting quarterback gets injured. As, it goes on he begins to have a ton of popularity and he realizes that it is all not what he hopes it to be.

The book is about a seventeen year old boy named Zeb Holloway, that is the secondary quarterback for his football team at Rumney high school. He ends up getting a chance to play as the starting quarterback.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book i am reading is called game changer, a sport book based on football and the main character in the gook are zeb holloway. He is a pretty normal high school student. He works in his uncles auto shop and he goes hunting sometimes in new hampshire. He is also a backup quarterback on his amazing high school football team. So he seems pretty normal, all until one night where everything changes in just one snap. On zebs football team, the star qb who lead their team to a undefeated season, had a nasty injury which changed the course of their season in a instant. Zeb got called by the coach to start in the biggest game of his life. Zeb wins the game for his team.

This book is very well written to me. It has me drawn in with the plot. Zeb the main character is probably my favorite character. He has gone throughout his life. This book is my type of book being sporty and life changes. Zeb has this one good friend that has been there through everything. Zeb has been the backup qb for 3 years but the star qb gets hurt at the end of 4th quarter. The game he got hurt in was the state qualifying game meaning zeb would have to start in the championship game. This part really drew me in and made me really curios about what would happen to zeb.

The book overall wasnt bad it was very fast action and sometimes hard to keep up. The book also had some harsh language at some point. The plot of the book was really good but sometimes it felt as if the main character was left out for a while. The book also has alot of quotations and alot of speaking back and forth between the characters. The coaches in the book are always giving out advice to zeb throughout the book and it started to get repetitive at some points.

In my opinionl the book was good not perfect but not bad at all. I give the book a 3 star. I give it this because of the great plot and characters but it really just wasnt the best book. Overall I strongly recommend this book is meant for someone who likes sports, drama, life changes, and plot twist.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What you see is pretty much what you get, but as often happens when it comes to Monninger's books, there's that little extra Something that pushes it above average for me. There is a lot in here about football, a game I couldn't care less about...except I have a special fondness for high school football games, especially in small towns. I love the heightened emotions and the sense of school spirit and the way it invigorates a community -- wholesome Friday night fun!

Zeb is such a pleasant character, too, one who isn't overly invested in the sport because he rarely gets off the bench, now grappling with how the last game of his high school career is suddenly imbued with new importance. He's quiet and thoughtful and sensible and I liked him a whole lot. I also loved his hardworking waitress mom, who is Trying Her Best despite only being able to afford a crummy trailer that's heated by a stove too small to stay lit overnight.

The bits of romance really worked for me too: first his friendship and sort-of crush on the cheerleader - unceremoniously dumped when her QB boyfriend announces he's going to relocate permanently to the state where he's getting treatment, but with whom Zeb soon realizes the timing is too awkward - and then the much sweeter bits with Ferron, the quirky girl he last saw in second grade, recently returned to town. (My favorite thing about her is that she had a crush on him back then. Live your dreams, girl! My third grade crush stayed cute all through high school too; I get it.)

P.S. I hate to admit it, but: the "do you feel it in your heart or your balls?" joke, repurposed from a coach's speech by his wise-cracking best friend, is so dumb that it made me laugh. Every time. If I'm not careful I'm going to incorporate it into my own vocabulary.

[Bethany Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

When high school football phenom T.T. Munroe gets injured a week before the state championship football game, the position of starting quarterback falls to second-stringer Zeb Holloway. In Zeb’s small New Hampshire town, high school football is a big deal to most people even if it doesn’t mean much to Zeb’s mom and uncle. Zeb’s life is not glamorous, and being put in the spotlight takes some getting used to. In the week leading up to the big game, Zeb is forced to consider his life and his future in a way he never has before.

Monninger succeeds in creating layered and compelling characters that rise above the expected stereotypes. Zeb’s mother and uncle both have their issues but genuinely care about him. His best friend Hawny provides comic relief that is actually pretty funny (even to a non-teenage boy). Even his mother’s boyfriend Arthur has some depth, and the dynamic between him and Zeb is not dramatic but feels very real. The only characters that fell flat for me were the two female love interests Stella and Ferron, who both felt under-developed.

The writing in this novel is elevated beyond what you would expect in your average sports novel. There were some really lovely sentences and turns of phrase, and the reader gets a real sense of place in the description of Rumney, New Hampshire and its residents.

At 225 pages this book is already pretty short, but it could have been tightened up even more. Dialogue seemed to go on too long at times, and there were a few incidents that didn’t really add much to the plot.

Recommendation: Readers looking for intense play by play football action should look elsewhere. This is much more character driven than the typical sports novel.

[Mario DeLuna]

The reason why I chose this book is because I really enjoy reading books about a sports team or player because I can relate more to the main character or characters due to the fact I love watching sports and used to play them. Zeb’s character was developed very well, it showed how he went from just cruising through high school to assuming this very important role on the football team. Joseph Monniger did a great job showing how Zeb takes on these responsibilities and becomes more aware of how this situation affects his life in the present and in the future. In my opinion the plot was unfolded decently because I could tell right off the bat some of the things that was gonna happen later on but I do think there are some parts that make you feel a relatable feeling to Zeb like when he starts to wonder if he actually does have a future out of his small town and not just life at his uncle Pushee’s auto shop.
I would say my least favorite part was the ending. I thought it was anti-climatic of them to lose at the very end after hyping up this game since the beginning of the book. My favorite part was actually in the beginning when it was talking about the game and it really hooked me into the book. I would recommend this book if you want more of something coming of age than a football type of book. It gives a good message about responsibility and looking to the future but for the football perspective not so much.

[Taffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opening line:
"Later, in the week that followed, Zeb Holloway watched the injury form again and again."

A coming-of-age story told from a second string football players perspective.
Zeb Holloway doesn't plan on playing much on his high school football team, thanks to the awesome QB who is bring the team to state. Until the QB is hurt. Zeb is thrust in the spotlight and he's not too sure what to think about the instant notoriety.
The story follows Zeb through the week leading up to the state game. He wrestles with who he is, where he's from and what he really expects out of life. Each day leading up to the game seem to solidify and center him in what he wants. Things move a little fast compared to what it might move in real life but I liked the day-to-day decisions and effects.

There are a few "F" bombs and a bit of swearing.
There is kissing.
There is "boy" humor.

Thanks to netgalley for the early read!

[JT Bond]

I think that this was a great book, very interesting to say the least but it really is kinda just like all the other sports books. The star player gets hurt, they are going to the championship and now all the pressure is on the back up. I think that hawny was my favorite character because of how he didn't pay at all until the championship game but stuck through even though he wasn't playing at all. Something I did like a lot about this novel is how the back Zeb gets hurt while he is practicing before the big game. Although he recovers and plays through the pain, I think it was a good touch to throw in there. The best part about the book and how it sort of differs from other books is that when they are down by a lot they don't magically come back to win the game, they just lost which is something I liked because it is different from all the other books.

[McKenzie Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

***SPOILERS AHEAD***
This book was actually really good- the reviews made me think it was just lackluster and not very good, but it was better than I was expecting. I just wish it had been longer. I would have liked to have seen where Zeb decided to go with his future and how his relationship with Ferron turned out. My favorite part, and where I almost cried, was where Zeb gave Hawny the chance to play- when he asked him to come out on the field during the state championship game. Hawny had never played a single minute before, and he was a senior, and Zeb cared more about getting his best friend in the game than keeping himself in the game.

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read some of Monninger's adult fiction before and love his New England influence, and many YA readers from Maine will find appeal in his familiar New Hampshire setting.

This YA novel considers several predictable motifs related to high school football : the big championship game, the injured star quarterback, the underdog back-up player, the troubled home life, and the trouble with the girlfriend to name a few. While the plot was predictable, Monninger crafts characters who are fully fleshed out and he uses language to evoke emotion in descriptions of the characters and the setting. I found this book would be a great recommendation for students who are looking for a sports-themed book but who might be ready for a more literary choice than what Lupica and other noted YA sports authors have to offer. Monninger's work elevates the football genre.

[John Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic portrayal of a teen (the backup quarterback on his school's football team) who is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight when the starting QB breaks a leg right before the championship game. The book deals with the expectations of main character Zeb for himself and his future, as well as those of his family, friends, classmates, teammates, fellow townsfolk, and others when Zeb suddenly has everyone's hopes riding on his unprepared shoulders. Definitely worth a read.

[LOGAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was a good book because I love sport books and this story about a QuarterBack Zeb Holloway who is a backup and when the star Quarterback T.T Monroe gets injured in the semi-finals and then is so interesting because Zeb then wins the Semi final game and moves onto the Championship game. Also there very funny lines and Very Different characters and it is Suspenseful at some moments. So from my opinion I think you should read this book if you love sports or sport books.

[Zackary Baker]

This book "Game Change" is a book that attracts my attention for many reasons. Joseph Monninger is an outstanding author who makes well made books. The main character Zeb was easy to relate too. The setting of football attracted my attention at the start but learning about Zeb as a person turned more to my attention then football. I would suggest this book to anyone who has passion for a great book.

[Cody]

In my opinion I think that this book was a great book . The book wasn't not to long but at the same time not to short this book was a great book for a kid like me to read. The main charecter in the book was a lot like me, he would like to go hunt on the weekends. And during the week go to school, hangout with friends, and play football. He was the starting quarter back and he was good. But in my opinion this was a great book.

[Jim Toner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good sports book that is certainly not a cliched football story. Zeb replaces T.T. the starting quarterback who injures his knee, and the injury causes his season to end. Zeb receives a surprise call from a college to play football for them even though he hasn't played much that season. The setting of the book is in a small town in New Hampshire, and the book does a good job of depicting a small town atmosphere.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was like any other typical football comeback story. These books seem to catch my interest even though they are the same every time. This book in particular though caught my interest within the first few pages when the backup quarterback now becomes the starter due to an injury. His journey to find the confidence and courage to play in the state championship game are very intriguing and enjoyable to follow along with.

[Gauge Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book shows how the underdog gets his chance of a lifetime. It is sad that the star quarterback is injured though for Zeb to get his chance at the game. The book is full of heart. Zeb now has the attention of the entire town. I don’t think the attention has changed who Zeb is as a person. I like how he stayed the same regardless of the fame that has been given to him. All in all, I think this was a really good book.

[Jayden Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game Change is a sports book about a high school quarterback who assumes the role of starting quarterback after their first-string QB gets hurt right before the state championship game. Zeb Halloway enjoys hunting with his uncle and friend in New Hampshire's backwoods, but the weight of his football team is also on his shoulders while he is trying to manage a life with an old friend he hasn't seen since second grade.