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The Gollywhopper Games #3
Friend or Foe
This companion to the popular The Gollywhopper Games, a book named to twenty-six state award master lists, will appeal to fans of The Amazing Race, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. Chock-full of puzzles, riddles, and challenges for the reader to solve along with the main characters, the third book in the Gollywhopper Games series offers readers plenty of action and fun and will appeal equally to boys and girls. Features black-and-white art by Newbery Honor author Victoria Jamieson.
Zane is not that interested in the Gollywhopper Games. He’d rather play football and is sure that he’s headed straight for the NFL. But after he gets his second concussion, his parents tell him, “No football for a year.” Instead, to his surprise, he gets a chance to compete in the Gollywhopper Games. Zane’s sense of strategy, his physical strength, and his competitive edge are all assets, and so is his ability to motivate his teammates and get them to work together. Zane becomes particularly close to Elijah, a young and scrawny genius who is friendly, awkward, and funny—Zane’s polar opposite. These two unlikely friends end up head-to-head in the final challenge, where Elijah’s quick thinking and Zane’s physical strength make it a tough fight. This is a fast-paced and interactive read for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society.
Zane is not that interested in the Gollywhopper Games. He’d rather play football and is sure that he’s headed straight for the NFL. But after he gets his second concussion, his parents tell him, “No football for a year.” Instead, to his surprise, he gets a chance to compete in the Gollywhopper Games. Zane’s sense of strategy, his physical strength, and his competitive edge are all assets, and so is his ability to motivate his teammates and get them to work together. Zane becomes particularly close to Elijah, a young and scrawny genius who is friendly, awkward, and funny—Zane’s polar opposite. These two unlikely friends end up head-to-head in the final challenge, where Elijah’s quick thinking and Zane’s physical strength make it a tough fight. This is a fast-paced and interactive read for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society.
- GenresMiddle GradeAdventure
432 pages, Unknown Binding
First published April 21, 2015
11 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Jody Feldman
10 books52 followersJody Feldman never knew she always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. If you’d cornered her as a kid, she’d have mentioned doctor or teacher, but that was just an answer. Her passions ran more toward treasure hunter, codebreaker, movie director, or inventor, but her practical side couldn’t imagine how to get there.
Her path to writing meandered through the University of Missouri School of Journalism and a short career in advertising. She wrote a lot about shoes. And then a lot more.
Jody’s first children’s novel, The Gollywhopper Games received the 2011 Georgia Children's Book Award and the 2011 Grand Canyon Readers Award, and found its place on many other state lists. It also received the Kids Wings Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature and the 2008 Midwest Booksellers Choice Awards Honor for Children’s Literature. Her second, The Seventh Level (both books from HarperCollins/Greenwillow) debuted on the Summer 2010 Indie Next List and received the 2011 Missouri Writers Guild Show Me Best Book Award. Upcoming, thanks to popular demand, two follow-ups to The Gollywhopper Games.
A lifelong resident of St. Louis, Jody likes to travel, cook, watch football, and solve crossword-type puzzles. And she loves knowing she can explore any dream, career or adventure with the characters in her books.
Her path to writing meandered through the University of Missouri School of Journalism and a short career in advertising. She wrote a lot about shoes. And then a lot more.
Jody’s first children’s novel, The Gollywhopper Games received the 2011 Georgia Children's Book Award and the 2011 Grand Canyon Readers Award, and found its place on many other state lists. It also received the Kids Wings Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature and the 2008 Midwest Booksellers Choice Awards Honor for Children’s Literature. Her second, The Seventh Level (both books from HarperCollins/Greenwillow) debuted on the Summer 2010 Indie Next List and received the 2011 Missouri Writers Guild Show Me Best Book Award. Upcoming, thanks to popular demand, two follow-ups to The Gollywhopper Games.
A lifelong resident of St. Louis, Jody likes to travel, cook, watch football, and solve crossword-type puzzles. And she loves knowing she can explore any dream, career or adventure with the characters in her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 17, 2015
My least favorite in the series.
March 20, 2023
I just like the puzzles and stuff. It was good but I just realized I need to reevaluate my review because I liked it but I probably won’t reread it. It’s great for killing time though. 👍
July 5, 2020
In this one, it's a puzzle in itself keeping track of the rankings of the different players.
I really appreciate the focus on how the Golly Games designers improve the challenges every year to make them more fair, harder to cheat on, and most rewarding to players who know how to be team mates and to cooperate, as well as to be competitive and confident. Those with the healthiest attitudes do the best, because that is (not always, but usually) how real life works. I am sad to be done with this trilogy... but the books are so fast-paced and exciting I couldn't savor them!
Also, I appreciate the level of difficulty of the puzzles. Most youngsters reading this book really could solve many of them, so long as they confidently and competitively try, and maybe ask for cooperative help from a friend or sibling with a different skill set or forte.
"He'd never celebrated with his competitors before."
Cinnamon-raisin pretzels?
If you like the merry-go-round, check out the real life one in Wisconsin's "House on the Rock" attraction, the carousel room featured in *American Gods.* (If you're really into carousels, the attraction has others that are different but also incredible.) (Well, the whole attraction is incredible. We visited last year and were pretty much blown away.)
I really appreciate the focus on how the Golly Games designers improve the challenges every year to make them more fair, harder to cheat on, and most rewarding to players who know how to be team mates and to cooperate, as well as to be competitive and confident. Those with the healthiest attitudes do the best, because that is (not always, but usually) how real life works. I am sad to be done with this trilogy... but the books are so fast-paced and exciting I couldn't savor them!
Also, I appreciate the level of difficulty of the puzzles. Most youngsters reading this book really could solve many of them, so long as they confidently and competitively try, and maybe ask for cooperative help from a friend or sibling with a different skill set or forte.
"He'd never celebrated with his competitors before."
Cinnamon-raisin pretzels?
If you like the merry-go-round, check out the real life one in Wisconsin's "House on the Rock" attraction, the carousel room featured in *American Gods.* (If you're really into carousels, the attraction has others that are different but also incredible.) (Well, the whole attraction is incredible. We visited last year and were pretty much blown away.)
February 24, 2017
this is the 2nd favorite of the gollywhopper games!
July 23, 2015
It's kind of hard not to be captivated by the Gollywhopper Games series.
They're incredibly unrealistic and juvenile, but reading them is just really fun. Ninety percent of the emotions Feldman describes are positive: Excited, happy, confident. It's refreshing, especially after reading a lot of horror and tear-jerkers. I can only imagine how magical it would be to read one of these books as an actual child. I mean, come on. It's about a fantastical TOY COMPANY. And the kids all win toys and games and they go on rides and make friends... It's a written daydream.
Not that this series isn't passable by normal writing standards. The plots aren't the most original things ever, but that's not the point of the series. The writing is engaging; it really pulls you along. All the text is incredibly easy to understand. I read Friend or Foe in one evening. I think it would be a choice for a young reluctant reader. (Starting with the first one, of course). The characters are likable enough. Although all the protagonists are male, Feldman always includes a worthy female competitor.
Being the second sequel to a book that was planned as a stand-alone, Friend or Foe does suffer a little. Feldman made some changes to the format of the Game, obviously in the interest of variety. It seemed unnecessary and forced to me. I would have been fine reading an identical Game with different characters, honestly. Still, maybe others appreciated the change. Anyway, it didn't take from the story.
My main problem with Friend or Foe was that I hated the main character. He's a football player. Maybe Feldman was trying to go against stereotypes- "He's a football player, but he's also really smart!" That didn't come across. He was definitely the least clever of the protagonists so far. Although,
Still, those are small critiques. Friend or Foe was just as fun and worthwhile as the other books. I highly recommend this series for children (or for the young at heart).
They're incredibly unrealistic and juvenile, but reading them is just really fun. Ninety percent of the emotions Feldman describes are positive: Excited, happy, confident. It's refreshing, especially after reading a lot of horror and tear-jerkers. I can only imagine how magical it would be to read one of these books as an actual child. I mean, come on. It's about a fantastical TOY COMPANY. And the kids all win toys and games and they go on rides and make friends... It's a written daydream.
Not that this series isn't passable by normal writing standards. The plots aren't the most original things ever, but that's not the point of the series. The writing is engaging; it really pulls you along. All the text is incredibly easy to understand. I read Friend or Foe in one evening. I think it would be a choice for a young reluctant reader. (Starting with the first one, of course). The characters are likable enough. Although all the protagonists are male, Feldman always includes a worthy female competitor.
Being the second sequel to a book that was planned as a stand-alone, Friend or Foe does suffer a little. Feldman made some changes to the format of the Game, obviously in the interest of variety. It seemed unnecessary and forced to me. I would have been fine reading an identical Game with different characters, honestly. Still, maybe others appreciated the change. Anyway, it didn't take from the story.
My main problem with Friend or Foe was that I hated the main character. He's a football player. Maybe Feldman was trying to go against stereotypes- "He's a football player, but he's also really smart!" That didn't come across. He was definitely the least clever of the protagonists so far. Although,
Still, those are small critiques. Friend or Foe was just as fun and worthwhile as the other books. I highly recommend this series for children (or for the young at heart).
November 13, 2015
Everybody loves the Gollywhopper games! How could you not love the puzzles, stunts and riddles. Everybody, that is, except for Zane Walker. He only cares about football. Football, football and more football. But when a concussion throws his dreams of playing in the NFL out the window, he uses the Gollywhopper Games as a distraction. Can he win it? Probably not. But will he try? Of course he will.
This is the 3rd book in the Gollywhopper Games series, and in my opinion the worst of them all. Don't take me wrong, it was a great book, but it would be hard to top the first two. Also, I have a problem with the gender thing here. All of the main characters so far have been boys, and so have most of their friends. Can't a girl win the Gollywhopper Games? But other than that, it was a great book, a great series, and everybody should read it. There's no excuse not to.
This is the 3rd book in the Gollywhopper Games series, and in my opinion the worst of them all. Don't take me wrong, it was a great book, but it would be hard to top the first two. Also, I have a problem with the gender thing here. All of the main characters so far have been boys, and so have most of their friends. Can't a girl win the Gollywhopper Games? But other than that, it was a great book, a great series, and everybody should read it. There's no excuse not to.
May 25, 2020
I am a fourth-grade teacher and have read all three of these books in the series aloud to my students, but I constantly have to censor what I am reading aloud because there was so much sexism in these books! They are super fun and very likable and the puzzles are great, but all three books are full of sexy young girls, boys having stupid crushes, tons of commentary on boys salivating over pretty dumb girls, dumb blonde jokes, boyfriend girlfriend jokes, comments about only girls liking the colors pink and purple, I could go on! Be warned. Great stories but lots of misogynistic/sexist undertones.
May 20, 2023
This third in the series was very very similar to the first two books. But I really didn’t care as the consistency was nice. I could have done without the sabateaur storyline. It was really a distraction from the main story. Once again the characters were great and the puzzles were a lot of fun. Another good quick read..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2024
This is a weak book despite potentially being great. Zane, the ex-football player, is more developed than the other main characters in the Gollywhopper Games, and I like his relationship with Elijah. However, this series should have stopped at one book, and this is the third one. The books are losing their magic at this point, and the puzzles are getting less interesting.
May 17, 2017
Awesome
The 200th time I've read this book... In the past two days! Love all the puzzles. Way to go Feldman
The 200th time I've read this book... In the past two days! Love all the puzzles. Way to go Feldman
February 6, 2018
Fast paced, fun read. Wide variety of puzzles in each book. Hope there is another book in this series!
December 30, 2018
Lots of fun
October 30, 2021
So much fun. For anyone who likes the style of puzzle books in which the reader can participate, this is the book. If you liked the first two, three is not a let down!
May 23, 2023
This was interesting and fun!
May 21, 2025
I read this with my great niece - really enjoyed!
March 7, 2017
This is the third book in the series. Zane is into football, but a series of concussions leave him on the sidelines. He ends up getting selected for the Gollywhopper Games and decides to do his best to compete and win. The concept of the games are a bit different this time in that the challenges have a “friend” or “foe” aspect where a contestant can reap a higher reward but must deal with more difficult circumstances. Along the way, Zane becomes friends with Elijah, who is more brains than brawn and the two work together when they can to try to end up in the finals. There are also outside forces working to sabotage the games. The book is filled with a new series of puzzles for the reader to solve along with the contestants.
May 12, 2015
This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.
It's rather ironic that this third book is called "Friend or Foe," because the first two Gollywhopper books are much more cutthroat than this installment. Friend or Foe actually focuses more on the teamwork aspect of the Games than the sabotage, and while there is still a side plot of subterfuge, this time it's centered squarely on the administrative side and doesn't really involve the contestants.
The first book was awesome, full of adventures and puzzles in a Neverland-like atmosphere. What really made it great, though, was that there was an actual story underpinning the entire narrative; we don't just read it to find out who wins, we read it because we wanted Gil to get some justice from the company that wrongfully accused his father of thievery. The second book, The New Champion (click to read my review), continued this thread of fighting for something with the story of the under-valued Cameron competing against his superstar older brother. Friend or Foe follows this pattern as well, but this time Zane isn't facing any direct motivation from his family.
Well, he sort of is, but not really. His parents fight a lot and he thinks the money will make them reconcile. Deep down, I don't think he really believes this though. He just throws it in front of himself as a way to get himself absorbed in the Game. You see, he largely sees the Games as a distraction from the fact that he's not playing football that summer. Why is he not playing football, you ask? Well, because he had two concussions and his brain needs a break. He's terrified that his parents won't let him ever play again, and equally terrified that he'll get another concussion and his brain will turn to mush. He sees the Games as a way to avoid thinking about everything, and to just lose himself for a few days.
The irony I mentioned at the beginning of this review, about how the title belongs more to the other Gollywhopper Games books, actually runs deeper than the fact that sabotage doesn't take a front seat this time. You see, Zane quickly becomes best friends with fellow contestant and kid genius Elijah. As the Games continue Zane and Elijah stay realistic about the fact that they are competing against each other, but they never become nasty or overly competitive - in fact, they spend quite a bit of time commiserating over hard puzzles and complimenting each other when one of them did a great job. A lot of this comes from the fact that they both want to win, but aren't completely obsessed with the Games; they know how to step back, take a deep breath, and give each other a thumbs up. It was awesome, and their friendly dynamics were one of my favorite things about the book.
The biggest problem with this book is a lack of novelty, and that's really not its falt. Feldman has used the same basic premise three times now, and while she does a stellar job shaking things up as much as she can each time, it's just not possible to capture the same sort of excitement every single time. However, it's still a great book and a fun read, and I highly recommend it to fans of the first two books - or just puzzle books in general!
It's rather ironic that this third book is called "Friend or Foe," because the first two Gollywhopper books are much more cutthroat than this installment. Friend or Foe actually focuses more on the teamwork aspect of the Games than the sabotage, and while there is still a side plot of subterfuge, this time it's centered squarely on the administrative side and doesn't really involve the contestants.
The first book was awesome, full of adventures and puzzles in a Neverland-like atmosphere. What really made it great, though, was that there was an actual story underpinning the entire narrative; we don't just read it to find out who wins, we read it because we wanted Gil to get some justice from the company that wrongfully accused his father of thievery. The second book, The New Champion (click to read my review), continued this thread of fighting for something with the story of the under-valued Cameron competing against his superstar older brother. Friend or Foe follows this pattern as well, but this time Zane isn't facing any direct motivation from his family.
Well, he sort of is, but not really. His parents fight a lot and he thinks the money will make them reconcile. Deep down, I don't think he really believes this though. He just throws it in front of himself as a way to get himself absorbed in the Game. You see, he largely sees the Games as a distraction from the fact that he's not playing football that summer. Why is he not playing football, you ask? Well, because he had two concussions and his brain needs a break. He's terrified that his parents won't let him ever play again, and equally terrified that he'll get another concussion and his brain will turn to mush. He sees the Games as a way to avoid thinking about everything, and to just lose himself for a few days.
The irony I mentioned at the beginning of this review, about how the title belongs more to the other Gollywhopper Games books, actually runs deeper than the fact that sabotage doesn't take a front seat this time. You see, Zane quickly becomes best friends with fellow contestant and kid genius Elijah. As the Games continue Zane and Elijah stay realistic about the fact that they are competing against each other, but they never become nasty or overly competitive - in fact, they spend quite a bit of time commiserating over hard puzzles and complimenting each other when one of them did a great job. A lot of this comes from the fact that they both want to win, but aren't completely obsessed with the Games; they know how to step back, take a deep breath, and give each other a thumbs up. It was awesome, and their friendly dynamics were one of my favorite things about the book.
The biggest problem with this book is a lack of novelty, and that's really not its falt. Feldman has used the same basic premise three times now, and while she does a stellar job shaking things up as much as she can each time, it's just not possible to capture the same sort of excitement every single time. However, it's still a great book and a fun read, and I highly recommend it to fans of the first two books - or just puzzle books in general!
October 14, 2015
The Gollywhopper Games - Friend or Foe
Jody Feldman
Middle Grade
This is my third romp through the Gollywhopper Games (3rd book in the series) and it was as fresh, fun and filled with as many unexpected twists as the first, which is saying something. These books are plot mixed with mystery (nod to Barrie) mixed with puzzles in a new spin on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with a realistic twist. Every single puzzle or conundrum Feldman creates is both real and solvable. The reader has "skin in the game" so to speak because she can outwit the winner, if she wants, and solve the puzzles before she reads to the end. It's the kind of rush a reader longs for in a book, while sneakily being, dare I say, math at the same time.
Basic plot: Zane plays football, but after two concussions, he has to sit out for a season. He feels lost, both within his circle of friends and identity-wise when the strangest of tests arrives at school. All students are required to take it, although nobody knows why. Zane's teacher says the test is pointless, but when Zane aces it, pointless turns into a chance to play in the third round of the Gollywhopper Games. And the rush begins.
There are a lot of things to like both in the style of prose and the puzzles Feldman creates. I am amazed at the number of games and problems she has created now over three books, with no exhaustion in sight. This time around, contestants can play in friend mode or foe mode when solving the larger than life games and math problems Golly creates. Foe mode brings more points and also more obstacles. At the same time, a saboteur is at work to ruin the games. This B-plot keeps things interesting when the reader may need a mental break from problem solving, or a different kind of mystery to tackle, as well as putting the reader on edge. Will one of the contestants get hurt?
Characters are well developed, all going through a metamorphosis as they solve puzzles and advance. Even Zane finds a way to have his football without endangering himself, and discovers that football players might not be the only people with whom he shares common interests.
The thing that struck me most about this book from a craft perspective is a subtlety. Feldman uses observations by other contestants to deepen the relationships between characters. The story is told in 3rd person close (Zane). It is through his lens that the reader experiences the action. However, when describing relationships, other characters chime in, analyzing and interpreting the closeness or distance between characters. Feldman, because she has to do use so much descriptive work with puzzles, uses this valuable tool to keep the story from getting bogged down in descriptives. It's clever.
For more great Fall feasts, crunch your way on over to Barrie Summy's website. She's serving them with a piping mouthful of delectable dessert today!
Jody Feldman
Middle Grade
This is my third romp through the Gollywhopper Games (3rd book in the series) and it was as fresh, fun and filled with as many unexpected twists as the first, which is saying something. These books are plot mixed with mystery (nod to Barrie) mixed with puzzles in a new spin on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with a realistic twist. Every single puzzle or conundrum Feldman creates is both real and solvable. The reader has "skin in the game" so to speak because she can outwit the winner, if she wants, and solve the puzzles before she reads to the end. It's the kind of rush a reader longs for in a book, while sneakily being, dare I say, math at the same time.
Basic plot: Zane plays football, but after two concussions, he has to sit out for a season. He feels lost, both within his circle of friends and identity-wise when the strangest of tests arrives at school. All students are required to take it, although nobody knows why. Zane's teacher says the test is pointless, but when Zane aces it, pointless turns into a chance to play in the third round of the Gollywhopper Games. And the rush begins.
There are a lot of things to like both in the style of prose and the puzzles Feldman creates. I am amazed at the number of games and problems she has created now over three books, with no exhaustion in sight. This time around, contestants can play in friend mode or foe mode when solving the larger than life games and math problems Golly creates. Foe mode brings more points and also more obstacles. At the same time, a saboteur is at work to ruin the games. This B-plot keeps things interesting when the reader may need a mental break from problem solving, or a different kind of mystery to tackle, as well as putting the reader on edge. Will one of the contestants get hurt?
Characters are well developed, all going through a metamorphosis as they solve puzzles and advance. Even Zane finds a way to have his football without endangering himself, and discovers that football players might not be the only people with whom he shares common interests.
The thing that struck me most about this book from a craft perspective is a subtlety. Feldman uses observations by other contestants to deepen the relationships between characters. The story is told in 3rd person close (Zane). It is through his lens that the reader experiences the action. However, when describing relationships, other characters chime in, analyzing and interpreting the closeness or distance between characters. Feldman, because she has to do use so much descriptive work with puzzles, uses this valuable tool to keep the story from getting bogged down in descriptives. It's clever.
For more great Fall feasts, crunch your way on over to Barrie Summy's website. She's serving them with a piping mouthful of delectable dessert today!
November 17, 2015
This review originally published at The Children's Book and Media Review
Zane isn’t that interested in the Gollywhopper Games. He is a football player, and his big dream is to play in the NFL until his second concussion prevents him from playing football for a year. He’s not sure what he’s going to be able to do with his life, so when he gets an opportunity to compete in the Gollywhopper Games, he decides to use his skills of determining strategy to win the Games to make up for not being able to play football. In these Gollywhopper Games, the challenges involve friends who can help them succeed and foes that make it more difficult, but the Gollywhopper officials are trying to find the foe in their midst that has been sabotaging the games. Zane makes friends and solves puzzles as he competes in the games.
While this book doesn’t have the novelty of the first Gollywhopper Games book, it continues to bring puzzles that readers can solve along with the main characters. Zane is different from the other main characters in the companion books, being more brawny than brainy but still using strategy and logic to figure out the puzzles. His friendship with Elijah is a fun aspect of the book, because even though the two characters have completely different hobbies and ways of looking at the world they are both able to work together while still recognizing each other as competitors. For fans of books where the readers get to solve the puzzles just as much as the main characters do, this book will not disappoint.
Zane isn’t that interested in the Gollywhopper Games. He is a football player, and his big dream is to play in the NFL until his second concussion prevents him from playing football for a year. He’s not sure what he’s going to be able to do with his life, so when he gets an opportunity to compete in the Gollywhopper Games, he decides to use his skills of determining strategy to win the Games to make up for not being able to play football. In these Gollywhopper Games, the challenges involve friends who can help them succeed and foes that make it more difficult, but the Gollywhopper officials are trying to find the foe in their midst that has been sabotaging the games. Zane makes friends and solves puzzles as he competes in the games.
While this book doesn’t have the novelty of the first Gollywhopper Games book, it continues to bring puzzles that readers can solve along with the main characters. Zane is different from the other main characters in the companion books, being more brawny than brainy but still using strategy and logic to figure out the puzzles. His friendship with Elijah is a fun aspect of the book, because even though the two characters have completely different hobbies and ways of looking at the world they are both able to work together while still recognizing each other as competitors. For fans of books where the readers get to solve the puzzles just as much as the main characters do, this book will not disappoint.
September 7, 2015
Synopsis- Zane loves football. When he grows up, he wants to be a professional player. All is going well, until he gets his second concussion. Now he’s not allowed to play football for a year. At first, Zane was devastated, but when, through taking a test , he gets chosen to take place in the preliminary contest for the legendary annual Gollywhopper Games (a big, Olympic-style game for kids filled with puzzles and riddles, funded by a rich international game-seller), he isn’t sure what to believe. The prize for winning? $1,000,000. Does Zane have what it takes to win?
What I Thought- You know a book is good when you start reading it, and find out halfway through the book that it is third in the series, and yet it didn’t matter really what order you read it in. Sure, some small spoilers are said, but it doesn’t ruin the series. Each book (I think) has a different cast, as it is a different year in the Gollywhopper Games, which is cool. It’s also cool how the winners of the games can come back to help with some of the challenges. It was a great book. I like the variety of people that got into the games. There are athletes, geniuses, jerks, etc. in the games. The challenges sound fun to do, and would be awesome if they existed in real life.
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
What I Thought- You know a book is good when you start reading it, and find out halfway through the book that it is third in the series, and yet it didn’t matter really what order you read it in. Sure, some small spoilers are said, but it doesn’t ruin the series. Each book (I think) has a different cast, as it is a different year in the Gollywhopper Games, which is cool. It’s also cool how the winners of the games can come back to help with some of the challenges. It was a great book. I like the variety of people that got into the games. There are athletes, geniuses, jerks, etc. in the games. The challenges sound fun to do, and would be awesome if they existed in real life.
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
April 15, 2016
Zane cares about only one thing - football. He dreams of someday playing for the NFL. But after receiving a second concussion, his parents have benched him for the season. As a distraction, he participates in the qualifying tests for the Gollywhopper Games. The games hosted by a toy company, allow kids to solve various puzzles and riddles on a televised show for a chance to win one million dollars. Using some of the skills he has gained playing football (speed, strength, and strategy), Zane qualifies to become a contestant. Now all he has to do is select teammates with the right set of skills to complement his own. Then this little distraction might actually be worth playing.
This title is a fast-paced, interactive read. Readers have the opportunity to solve many of the riddles and puzzles along with the characters. Zane is a likable character that is not only intelligent, but compassionate and able to recognize the value of working with those with a different skill set. Although a subplot involving a conspiracy from a competing toy company is confusing and slows the storyline, readers should be able to overlook it and will enjoy this clever title. Friend or Foe is the third in a series, but can easily stand alone.
This title is a fast-paced, interactive read. Readers have the opportunity to solve many of the riddles and puzzles along with the characters. Zane is a likable character that is not only intelligent, but compassionate and able to recognize the value of working with those with a different skill set. Although a subplot involving a conspiracy from a competing toy company is confusing and slows the storyline, readers should be able to overlook it and will enjoy this clever title. Friend or Foe is the third in a series, but can easily stand alone.
February 10, 2015
I truly appreciated how Friend or Foe introduced the ripped-from-the-headlines issue of concussions in youth sports, and dealt with the impact on the confidence of a young athlete. While the sports strategy and contestant characterizations count as a strength, I missed seeing more of Carol and Bill's competitive banter. I also wonder how many more entries into the series we'll see before the behind-the-scenes politics of sabotage get wrapped up satisfyingly. In this entry, felt anti-climactic. But the whimsical Gollywhopper Games maintain their attraction, particularly during the . Being billed as a "companion" book rather than a series entry, Friend or Foe nevertheless moves things along chronologically and will be a quick read for puzzle fans.
September 7, 2015
The third book in the Gollywhoppers series is again filled with puzzles to solve. The competitors are different and they each have their own internal challenge to overcome. An interesting addition to the series that may be appreciated by puzzle fans, especially those who enjoyed the first book.
July 15, 2015
The writing is a little better than the last book in the series--not as many "skipped" thoughts. Feldman definitely knows how to keep you reading; I found myself racing through each set of challenges as if I was the one doing them and then taking breaks when the contestants did.
September 5, 2015
Third installment of Gollywhopper Games, this time working with a boy suffering from concussions and threat of being permanently sidelined from junior high football. Wish I has read book #2 to understand some of the references to prior events.
April 10, 2015
Interesting for those who like games.
May 3, 2015
After a bit, this story seemed a bit too similar to the second, but I loved the puzzles. I can definitely see a fourth Games with the three group of finalists competing against each other.
July 23, 2015
I enjoyed it... Though the mole storyline seemed a bit extraneous! I liked the ending! Looking forward to the 4th!
May 31, 2015
Good characters with the puzzles, as well as help with life "after the games."
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