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The Great Quarterback Switch (Matt Christopher Sports Classics) by Matt Christopher
Quarterback
97 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
42 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Matt Christopher
435 books141 followersMatt Christopher is the writer young readers turn to when they're looking for fast-paced, action-packed sports novels. He is the best-selling author of more than one hundred sports books for young readers.
Matt Christopher is America's bestselling sports writer for children, with more than 100 books and sales approaching six million copies. In 1992, Matt Christopher talked about being a children's book author.
"I became interested in writing when I was 14, a freshman in high school. I was selling magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post, Country Gentleman, and Liberty, and I would read the stories, particularly the adventure and mystery stories, and think how wonderful it would be to be able to write stories and make a living at it. I also read detective, horror, aviation, and sports stories and decided I would try writing them myself.
Determined to sell, I wrote a detective story a week for 40 weeks, finding the time to marry, work, and play baseball and basketball before I sold my first story in 1941, "The Missing Finger Points," for $50 to Detective Story magazine.
After writing and selling children's sports stories to magazines, I decided to write a baseball book for children. I was living in Syracuse, New York at the time, working at General Electric. I spoke about my idea to the branch librarian. She was immediately interested and told me that they needed sports stories badly. So I came up with my first children's book, The Lucky Baseball Bat. I submitted it to Little, Brown, and the book was published in 1954.
I'm sure that playing sandlot baseball and then semiprofessional baseball with a Class C club in the Canadian-American League influenced my writing. I had my own personal experiences, and I saw how other players reacted to plays, to teammates' and fans' remarks and innuendoes, to managers' orders, etc. All these had a great influence on my writing. My love of the game helped a lot, too, of course.
Out of all the books I've written, my favorite is The Kid Who Only Hit Homers. It's a fantasy, but the main character in it could be real. There are a lot of boys who would love to play baseball but, for some reason, cannot. The only difference between a real-life boy and Sylvester Coddmyer III is the appearance of a character named George Baruth, whom only Sylvester can see and who helps Sylvester become a good ballplayer.
I've written many short stories and books for both children and adults, and find that writing for children is really my niche. Being the eldest of nine children (seven boys and two girls), I've lived through a lot of problems many children live through, and I find these problems excellent examples to include in my books.
Sports have made it possible for me to meet many people with all sorts of life stories, on and off the field, and these are grist for this writer's mill. I'm far beyond playing age now, but I manage to go to both kids' and adult games just to keep up with them, and keep them fresh in my mind.Very few things make me happier than receiving fan letters from boys and girls who write that they had never cared for reading until they started to read my books. That is just about the ultimate in writing for children. I would never trade it for another profession."
Matt Christopher died on September 27, 1997. His legacy is now being carried on by his sons, Duane and Dale Christopher.
Matt Christopher is America's bestselling sports writer for children, with more than 100 books and sales approaching six million copies. In 1992, Matt Christopher talked about being a children's book author.
"I became interested in writing when I was 14, a freshman in high school. I was selling magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post, Country Gentleman, and Liberty, and I would read the stories, particularly the adventure and mystery stories, and think how wonderful it would be to be able to write stories and make a living at it. I also read detective, horror, aviation, and sports stories and decided I would try writing them myself.
Determined to sell, I wrote a detective story a week for 40 weeks, finding the time to marry, work, and play baseball and basketball before I sold my first story in 1941, "The Missing Finger Points," for $50 to Detective Story magazine.
After writing and selling children's sports stories to magazines, I decided to write a baseball book for children. I was living in Syracuse, New York at the time, working at General Electric. I spoke about my idea to the branch librarian. She was immediately interested and told me that they needed sports stories badly. So I came up with my first children's book, The Lucky Baseball Bat. I submitted it to Little, Brown, and the book was published in 1954.
I'm sure that playing sandlot baseball and then semiprofessional baseball with a Class C club in the Canadian-American League influenced my writing. I had my own personal experiences, and I saw how other players reacted to plays, to teammates' and fans' remarks and innuendoes, to managers' orders, etc. All these had a great influence on my writing. My love of the game helped a lot, too, of course.
Out of all the books I've written, my favorite is The Kid Who Only Hit Homers. It's a fantasy, but the main character in it could be real. There are a lot of boys who would love to play baseball but, for some reason, cannot. The only difference between a real-life boy and Sylvester Coddmyer III is the appearance of a character named George Baruth, whom only Sylvester can see and who helps Sylvester become a good ballplayer.
I've written many short stories and books for both children and adults, and find that writing for children is really my niche. Being the eldest of nine children (seven boys and two girls), I've lived through a lot of problems many children live through, and I find these problems excellent examples to include in my books.
Sports have made it possible for me to meet many people with all sorts of life stories, on and off the field, and these are grist for this writer's mill. I'm far beyond playing age now, but I manage to go to both kids' and adult games just to keep up with them, and keep them fresh in my mind.Very few things make me happier than receiving fan letters from boys and girls who write that they had never cared for reading until they started to read my books. That is just about the ultimate in writing for children. I would never trade it for another profession."
Matt Christopher died on September 27, 1997. His legacy is now being carried on by his sons, Duane and Dale Christopher.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 5, 2014
This book are about two twins that love the game of football. Micheal was was the starting QB for his team until there was a tragic accident. That meant that Tom would have to play QB while Micheal watched from the sidelines. Tom wanted to be just like his brother out on the field so he came up with a play that they have never ran. The weird thing was that Micheal was thinking of the same play in his head when Tom called it. Everyone thinks the boys connect through a signal antenna in their brains. Tom then leads his team to a championship following in his older brothers foot steps.
I think this is a great book for people/kids that like sports, especially football.It shows how one thing can change everything. Kids can read this and get some useful information about life out of the book.
I think this is a great book for people/kids that like sports, especially football.It shows how one thing can change everything. Kids can read this and get some useful information about life out of the book.
March 14, 2021
Michael and Tom Curtis are identical twins and both love football. Tom is an athlete and the quarterback of the Eagles football team. Due to an accident, Michael is confined to a wheelchair, so he is limited to watching and yelling encouragement.
However, they have an adult friend named Ollie Pruitt that believes that believes in transmigration of bodies and personalities. It turns out that if both boys wish it very hard, their bodies can be interchanged to the extent that Michael becomes the ambulatory one while Tom is the one confided to a wheelchair.
This trick is used to give Tom respites in the games, for when he gets tired or banged up Michael can go in for him. It works very well, for Michael has memorized all the plays, has an excellent understanding of football and is also athletic.
The season moves forward and there are a couple of girls that go out of their way to interact with Michael and Tom. Unlike many other adolescent sports fiction, there is no dramatic last second win at the end, which is positive, for such things rarely happen.
If it were not for the fantasy aspects of partial physical transmigration, this would have been a good story. The only characteristic that is swapped between the two boys is the ability to be ambulatory. Other than that, their bodies swap. Which is more along the line of magic rather than fantasy.
However, they have an adult friend named Ollie Pruitt that believes that believes in transmigration of bodies and personalities. It turns out that if both boys wish it very hard, their bodies can be interchanged to the extent that Michael becomes the ambulatory one while Tom is the one confided to a wheelchair.
This trick is used to give Tom respites in the games, for when he gets tired or banged up Michael can go in for him. It works very well, for Michael has memorized all the plays, has an excellent understanding of football and is also athletic.
The season moves forward and there are a couple of girls that go out of their way to interact with Michael and Tom. Unlike many other adolescent sports fiction, there is no dramatic last second win at the end, which is positive, for such things rarely happen.
If it were not for the fantasy aspects of partial physical transmigration, this would have been a good story. The only characteristic that is swapped between the two boys is the ability to be ambulatory. Other than that, their bodies swap. Which is more along the line of magic rather than fantasy.
January 25, 2018
Third choice book.
Michael used to play a lot of football when he was a kid and loved it. One day he was riding his bike and came to the end to the of a driveway when a car was backing up and hit him. He broke both of his legs and was paralyzed. He was unable to walk.
Michael had an identical twin brother, Tom, who also played football. Once Michael was injured he no longer was able to play football so he had to watch from the sidelines. Michael was in charge of calling the plays. The twin brothers can read each other's mind. Michael and Tom use their "telepathic" powers to help them call plays.
Michael used to play a lot of football when he was a kid and loved it. One day he was riding his bike and came to the end to the of a driveway when a car was backing up and hit him. He broke both of his legs and was paralyzed. He was unable to walk.
Michael had an identical twin brother, Tom, who also played football. Once Michael was injured he no longer was able to play football so he had to watch from the sidelines. Michael was in charge of calling the plays. The twin brothers can read each other's mind. Michael and Tom use their "telepathic" powers to help them call plays.
September 20, 2024
A nice story but I felt it didn't focus on anything else other than the games. Which this is a sports book so I get but as a result everyone comes across as a bit of a cipher. Like practically everyone other than the twins get one thing to do and then do it.
This book would have benefited from a little explanation of why they could swap only during games or you know them choosing to stop swapping in the end plus there's not much focus on Mike and his interests like what does he like other than football?
It suffers from having too many characters.
This book would have benefited from a little explanation of why they could swap only during games or you know them choosing to stop swapping in the end plus there's not much focus on Mike and his interests like what does he like other than football?
It suffers from having too many characters.
April 21, 2021
I love how the book helps show the feelings of the twins in the game and how they feel. It shows the connection they have to the game but that isn't just one of the big connections they have. The biggest connection they have is each other being able to read the mind of each other and have a deep connection it is an amazing book you just need to read it yourself.
May 11, 2018
I want to read the book.
January 31, 2022
Matt Christopher once again delivers a great Sport Book
June 24, 2024
I was a little disappointed that the switching was real. I had rather hoped that wanting to play with all his might would make him want to walk again. Still, cute story for what it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2012
One day on a hot sunny football field there was two brothers that love a lot of football. Michael, the best quarterback they had. Michael had a accident and couldn’t play. His brother Tom was the new quarterback. Michael was just on the wheelchair near the sideline seeing what his brother was doing on the field. Tom wanted to try a play that they never made. They go for the play that he wanted to try and it actually worked. They were so tired that after practice they were talking about that play that it was one of the best one we’ve ever done. Tom was becoming like his brother. He was getting the skills and accuracy of throwing the same as his brother. Michael was like Tom offensive coordinator. Michael was just telling his brother what to do for him not to get sacked.Book review
I like how the author puts the story together like he puts the two quarterback same skills and going step by step. The both quarterback had the same skills, so they were both good. I am going to recommend this book for the people that like sports. The people who read this book ,it will become one of their favorite sport book. Football fans would want to read this cause its one of the best football story.
I like how the author puts the story together like he puts the two quarterback same skills and going step by step. The both quarterback had the same skills, so they were both good. I am going to recommend this book for the people that like sports. The people who read this book ,it will become one of their favorite sport book. Football fans would want to read this cause its one of the best football story.
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June 15, 2009this book is about two brothers michael and tom.michael was a football player for a team called the eagles. his twin brother tom is in a wheelchair because he is crippled. but they are both twins and they both have psychic ability so sometimes they could tell what each other are thinking due to their psychic abilitys.
i like this book because it was about football.
the book had a good story line.
i like how the story was put together.
i wonder why they did not tell why tom was in a wheelchair.
a way that this book changed the way i see other people is that some people are psychic and know different things that can happen. people that are twins maybe sometimes can tell what each other are thinking. i know some brothers and sisters that are twins and know what each other are thinking.
i like this book because it was about football.
the book had a good story line.
i like how the story was put together.
i wonder why they did not tell why tom was in a wheelchair.
a way that this book changed the way i see other people is that some people are psychic and know different things that can happen. people that are twins maybe sometimes can tell what each other are thinking. i know some brothers and sisters that are twins and know what each other are thinking.
December 22, 2010
When the story starts Tome and his twin brother Chris both love football. The only difference between them is that Chris has to watch from the sidelines, while Tom heads the team. Chris has to watch from the sidlines in a wheelchair. When their neighbor, an old college professor, talks about TEC. They are just dying to try it. In a game when Tom isn't doing so good, they both concentrate very hard on switching spots. Then all of a sudden its Chris sitting on the bench ready to play and Tom on the sidelines whatching the game. This book is very inspiring and an exeptional read.
February 4, 2015
I thought this book was okay. This book was somewhat interesting, and had an interesting idea. I think this book was pretty good, and I would probably read it again. This book was about two boys who can basically read eachothers mind and switch places. This book was interesting and they did some pretty cool things. I would reccommend this book to anyone that likes football, and is somewhat interested in mind switching and things like that
September 15, 2015
This book is a ok book but it was kind of weird. It is about two brothers who switch place.One is in a wheel chair and all he wants is to be able to get on the football field and play QB like he used to before his accident.Him and his brothers somehow switch places and he is playing on the field for his brother.I would recommend this book to everyone.
December 2, 2019
I like the Great quarter back switch because it involve a little druma. It has a lot of exciting things like how the to brothers had switch bodies. Micheal and Tom have an neighbor that help the switch bodies. Micheal always wanted to switch bodies with Tom to get in the games.At the end Micheal told Tom what he needed to be a real team leader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2012
I didn't like this book at all it is the worst book I have read this year. I mean I like it because of the sports but other than that I hated it. I personally think the author rushed to the end instead of adding detail and making the book interesting.
September 13, 2015
The great quarterback switch was good. Its about two identical twins and one has a bad accident and the other is the starting quarterback, but it took awhile to get to the point but when they finally did was a cool how if he concentrated hard enough him and his twin would call the play.
October 16, 2009
The quarterbacks r twins.the better one gets parilized but no one knows
February 24, 2013
Was kind of good but i learned something about it.
September 11, 2015
The Great Quarterback Switch by Matt Christoper I thought this was a ok book because it took a while to get to the point of when they did the great quarterback switch.
January 2, 2014
I liked this book cause it was inspiring and pretty much states how true bothers should act.
August 8, 2018
We read a few of these. Fun stories for boys who like sports.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews