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Eoin Madden #5
Rugby Runner
Schools rugby star Eoin Madden has never been busier – he’s captain of the Junior Cup team, he’s training with Leinster and hoping to be chosen for the Ireland team for the first-ever Under 16 World Cup. But it’s not all fun and games, as Eoin also has to deal with grumpy friends, teachers piling on the homework – AND a ghost on a mission that goes back to the very origins of the game of rugby. But what does the restless spirit need, and can Eoin help him?
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2017
8 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Gerard Siggins
25 books3 followersGerard Siggins was born in Dublin in 1962. Initially a sports journalist, he worked for many years in the Sunday Tribune, where he became assistant editor. He has written several books about cricket, as well as being co-author of Lansdowne Road: The Stadium; The Matches; The Greatest Days.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 12, 2017
I received a copy of this book from O'Brien Press in exchange for an honest review.
Eoin Madden has a lot going trying to deal with schoolwork, being captain of the Junior Cup rugby team while also trying to get onto Ireland's Under-16 rugby team and also being followed around by ghosts. When a ghost who has a connection with the start of the game of rugby itself asks Eoin for help, he does so but it might mean forfeiting his chance of being a rugby star.
So, I'll be honest and admit I know very little about rugby. I like to watch it on TV now and again but when it comes to all the different names and terms within the game and the different rules, I have no idea what's going on. So I was a little bit nervous going into this book, thinking that I would be completely lost. Luckily, this wasn't the case and even the book was very rugby-focused, I still found myself enjoying it!
I really liked Eoin Madden as a character - he was sweet and tough, and really loved his friends and family. He also came across very honest and modest and always gave others support and encouragement. He was just an all-round nice guy! I really liked his relationships with his family and friends. It was very healthy to see in a YA book and proof that family can be central in a teenager's life and love and support him in doing what he loves most was just a great thing to see.
I liked the supernatural element of this book. I haven't read anything else in this series so it was funny to me that all of Eoin's friends acting so normally when he mentioned talking to ghosts and I kind of loved it. I liked the mystery thrown in around the robbery of the cup and Eoin's mission to find out who did it.
This is definitely the perfect book for any young person who enjoys books about sport, friendship or mystery! It's a bit of a 'boy's book' with no female characters except a brief mention of Eoin's sister but I think anyone could read it and enjoy it, no matter what gender. I think this would be a great book/book series to help younger teen readers get into reading and enjoy reading as well.
Eoin Madden has a lot going trying to deal with schoolwork, being captain of the Junior Cup rugby team while also trying to get onto Ireland's Under-16 rugby team and also being followed around by ghosts. When a ghost who has a connection with the start of the game of rugby itself asks Eoin for help, he does so but it might mean forfeiting his chance of being a rugby star.
So, I'll be honest and admit I know very little about rugby. I like to watch it on TV now and again but when it comes to all the different names and terms within the game and the different rules, I have no idea what's going on. So I was a little bit nervous going into this book, thinking that I would be completely lost. Luckily, this wasn't the case and even the book was very rugby-focused, I still found myself enjoying it!
I really liked Eoin Madden as a character - he was sweet and tough, and really loved his friends and family. He also came across very honest and modest and always gave others support and encouragement. He was just an all-round nice guy! I really liked his relationships with his family and friends. It was very healthy to see in a YA book and proof that family can be central in a teenager's life and love and support him in doing what he loves most was just a great thing to see.
I liked the supernatural element of this book. I haven't read anything else in this series so it was funny to me that all of Eoin's friends acting so normally when he mentioned talking to ghosts and I kind of loved it. I liked the mystery thrown in around the robbery of the cup and Eoin's mission to find out who did it.
This is definitely the perfect book for any young person who enjoys books about sport, friendship or mystery! It's a bit of a 'boy's book' with no female characters except a brief mention of Eoin's sister but I think anyone could read it and enjoy it, no matter what gender. I think this would be a great book/book series to help younger teen readers get into reading and enjoy reading as well.
February 9, 2017
Terrific series for reluctant readers especially fans of rugby (not just for boys).
The story is centred around the sport showing the dedication and commitment required in order to succeed in such a competitive field.
It also takes into consideration the other pressures young people are subjected to in today’s society; such as academic success and peer pressure in social situations.
The series is realistic and relatable; although in my opinion the paranormal element may have been overkill. While the introduction of the supernatural does give the narrative a another dimension I did feel (from personal experience) it will put a lot of students off reading a story I am convinced they would enjoy.
The story is centred around the sport showing the dedication and commitment required in order to succeed in such a competitive field.
It also takes into consideration the other pressures young people are subjected to in today’s society; such as academic success and peer pressure in social situations.
The series is realistic and relatable; although in my opinion the paranormal element may have been overkill. While the introduction of the supernatural does give the narrative a another dimension I did feel (from personal experience) it will put a lot of students off reading a story I am convinced they would enjoy.
February 8, 2017
Loads of fun. Sport, mysteries and ghosts there's something for every child!
April 20, 2017
This is for those who love rugby like Eoin does, and those who take notice of it like me. The power of Gerard's writing to get a distinctly non sporty person like myself enjoying what is a thriller filled tale is evident in this latest installment in the rugby series. I still have no clue what a conversion is, and don't care to know. Yes there is a lot of rugby talk and tactics but I ignored that. I've read a few of the other books in the series & enjoyed them, but for some reason I can't find the reviews - sorry!
I love the team spirit (and lack of) that Eoin encounters as he dives deeper into the world of professional rugby. He finds it a bit of a challenge, which had him digging deep to carry on despite having his confidence knocked when he thought he'd done well. I loved the boarding school commaraderie, the strict lifestyle rules Eoin has to abide by. It was hard when he had issues with his best friend, who was being a prime example of an idiot. Eoin had to deal with arrogant so and sos who think they are the best because of their connections. Then there are the ghosts who in part are why Eoin gets into trouble, but also help him do what's right.
I enjoyed the fact that another occupation is open to Eoin if he doesn't go pro at rugby. It's exciting being part of a police operation!! Also boring, and the repercussions aren't good for Eoin, but he pulls through and I'm proud of what he did, thanks to some ghosts who are the opposite of scary.
I think it's possible to read any book in the series without reading the rest, as previous info is woven in the start - I have memory issues so these help remind me of previous adventures. It's going straight to my reread shelf!
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...
I love the team spirit (and lack of) that Eoin encounters as he dives deeper into the world of professional rugby. He finds it a bit of a challenge, which had him digging deep to carry on despite having his confidence knocked when he thought he'd done well. I loved the boarding school commaraderie, the strict lifestyle rules Eoin has to abide by. It was hard when he had issues with his best friend, who was being a prime example of an idiot. Eoin had to deal with arrogant so and sos who think they are the best because of their connections. Then there are the ghosts who in part are why Eoin gets into trouble, but also help him do what's right.
I enjoyed the fact that another occupation is open to Eoin if he doesn't go pro at rugby. It's exciting being part of a police operation!! Also boring, and the repercussions aren't good for Eoin, but he pulls through and I'm proud of what he did, thanks to some ghosts who are the opposite of scary.
I think it's possible to read any book in the series without reading the rest, as previous info is woven in the start - I have memory issues so these help remind me of previous adventures. It's going straight to my reread shelf!
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews