Game Changer

by Tommy Greenwald

Thirteen-year-old Teddy Youngblood is in a coma fighting for his life after an unspecified football injury at training camp. His family and friends flock to his bedside to support his recovery—and to discuss the events leading up to the tragic accident. Was this an inevitable result of playing a
violent sport, or was something more sinister happening on the field that day? Told in an innovative, multimedia format combining dialogue, texts, newspaper articles, transcripts, an online forum, and Teddy’s inner thoughts, Game Changer explores the joyous thrills and terrifying risks of America’s most popular sport.

Genres: Sports, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Mystery, Football

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 2018

About the author

Tommy Greenwald's book GAME CHANGER has been named an Amazon Best Book Of The Month, a 2019 YALSA Top Ten Pick for Reluctant Readers, and a Junior Library Guild Premier Selection. Tommy is also the author of the CRIMEBITERS, CHARLIE JOE JACKSON and PROJECT Z series, among many other books for children.

Day-job-wise, Tommy is the Co-Founder of Spotco Advertising, an entertainment advertising agency in New York City, and the lyricist and co-bookwriter of JOHN & JEN, an off-Broadway musical.

To read woefully outdated information about Tommy, visit tommygreenwald.com. (To send an email telling him how much you liked whatever book it was that you just read, holla at tommy@tommygreenwald.com.)

Reviews

[Kadi P · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Buddy read with the fabulous Lynn who really opened my eyes to more of what this book had to offer!)

Delightfully thought-provoking, this novel-in-verse approached some difficult topics through an engaging and unique multimedia format.

The mystery and intrigue slowly built up throughout was well done and effective. The verse style dialogue cut out any flowery description yet still managed to take a while to get straight to the heart of all the issues: bullying, negligence, misuse of power, peer pressure, and more. However, there was some merit to the plot taking its time as that allowed for a discussion that engaged with both sides of the argument involving the dangers as well as benefits of sport and sport culture.

Unfortunately, the ending was too quick and didn’t leave enough room for what could’ve been a deeper poignant exploration of complex topics such as blameworthiness and responsibility. Given that this was a stand-alone, the swift end meant the repercussions of earlier plot points will now never be seen and that lack of a follow-through was disappointing enough for this to lose out on what could’ve been a solid 5 stars.

[Leigh Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books I know I can hand over to so many students. You don't have to play football to enjoy this book or to understand the issues surrounding the sport. It is also written in a quick-read format, which will appeal to reluctant readers.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just what I needed. Just a solid good book that kept me engaged the whole time. I never once tried to find plot holes, dissect a characters choice, or throw my hands up in exasperation over the lack of editing. It ended super tidy with a big kumbuya moment but I ain’t even mad about it bc I loved it all. I hate football and the obsession society has with it. I’m a super competitive person so it isn’t even about that bc I’m all about teamwork. But the things I hear parents put their kids through at very young ages just so they can watch their kid play football disgusts me. I really appreciate how the author loves football, had a kid play it and loved watching his kid play but still knew this book needed to be written. I think this book would appeal to any kid and even adults.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good and you don't really have to be into football to like it. I am very mad I missed the anagram I normally try to look for things like that. I really think that Will should have gotten in trouble because it seemed like mostly his fault.

[Myra Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75

[Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting, I did not like the format the author had used the words were so spaced and it was very confusing. The book was good yet it had gotten really good at the end. This book was not my favorite but it was good.

[Will Keach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teddy who is 13 years old collapsed after a football scrimmage putting him into a coma, he is in the coma for the entire book. The book talks about the trauma of high school football and really what happens that the public doesn't know about. The coach's daughter creates a social media page to honor Teddy but when people start posting rumors about what happened people start getting more involved wondering if this was just a "football tragic" or if there is more to the story. Teddy's mother didn't want him to play football in the first place it was his dad that loved football and wanted Teddy to play, his parents are divorced throughout the book but they start to deal with each other in the hospital while Teddy is there.

[Troy Girard · Rating 4 out of 5]

13 year old teddy was put into a coma after a bad football accident teddy is in the coma for the book but his parents and family are always by his side trying to help him out but people are still trying to find out who put teddy into a coma.

[Rebecca Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle school appropriate. I loved the way this story unfolded and important details started bubbling up. The format of switching between conversations, social media posts, and news articles was really well done for the format of this particular story.

[Jenni Heins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maud Hart Lovelace Nominee and rightly so! Love the poetic format, relationships, mystery element and more!

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finishes this one! Engaging format told in texts, online messages, conversations, stream of (un) consciousness . Football/hazing great ya read.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review found at: https://achronicreader.wordpress.com/...
I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book courtesy of the Amulet Books via NetGalley.

Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald

Release Date: September 11, 2018

Publisher: Amulet Books

Genre: Middle Grade

Rating:  3.5 / 5 

Storyline:

The book begins with a hospital report detailing the injury and comatose status of Edward "Teddy" Youngblood, age 13. From there we start to hear Teddy's inner thoughts, in a sort jumbled nonsensical format. Through his family members' dialogue, we learn that Teddy sustained a traumatic brain injury and collapsed on the football field after the "Rookie Rumble" scrimmage.  At first, no one really knows what caused him to collapse.  However, throughout the book, we slowly learn his injury is more than just a "typical" football injury.  The truth unravels in a multimedia format, through text messages, online forum posts, transcripts from school therapists and dialogue of who talks to Teddy in the hospital.  This book unravels some of the deep truths of the rising news stories on head injuries in young football players, as well as hazing rituals in team sports. 

The Good:

I really enjoyed this book! It was a quick read, but sucked me in from the very first page.  The multimedia format was inventive and helped the story evolve almost in "real time." Being able to follow along as the truth is revealed was a great way to keep the reader engaged. As someone who has studied the effects of head injuries in young football players, I felt this book will be a timely read for young readers.  It also covers the tough topic of hazing rituals on sports teams, especially in regards to younger players wanting to do anything in order to impress the upperclassmen.  Young readers will benefit from this book and learning that hazing takes many forms, some of which might not even seem like "traditional" hazing, but are definitely still not okay.  Kids will enjoy the story and the suspense of trying to figure out what actually happened to Teddy, but they will also take away some important lessons.

The Bad:

I wanted more depth to the characters. I feel we got just a snippet of who everyone is, but not enough background or depth to who they really are.  I also would have loved more to the ending.  I love the last line of dialogue in the book, but it can be interpreted many ways. I wanted to know more at the end, in order to get more of a completeness to the story and how the investigation is going to be handled going forward. 

I also had some formatting issues with my digital ARC, which I was reading using Bluefire Reader on an iPad (which usually offers the best graphics for multimedia books).  The pages where texting was happening, appeared almost blank.  I could see the phone and the little bubble messages, but no text. So, either that was intentional or I was missing the words on that page. That sort of took away from some of the story, but I still enjoyed it and didn't feel like I missed a lot plot-wise without the text messages.

Bottom Line:

Overall, a great read with important lessons for middle grade readers to learn!

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah. I absolutely need this book for my classroom. And engaging story with an interesting narrative style. A book for everyone but specifically reluctant and struggling readers that'll make those students say "I can read this!!" And "Look at all that white space!" It's VERY easy to read but feels like a book for teens which is SUCH an important trait. The teen issues are talked about with sophistication and complexity, but the actual reading isn't difficult. Oh! Also good for older ELLs!!

The twist is revealed through careful clues and there are so many avenues to bring in nonfiction about football head injuries, social media, hazing, therapy, diverse family dynamics, and more.

I'm going to try and get a classroom set because I loved this book so much I want to teach it to my remediation English class. Anyone have a spare $300? Teacher friends with readers who read at a 3rd grade level or above... do yourself a favor and get a copy or two for your classroom.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirteen-year-old Teddy is in a coma after a serious head injury. While incapacitated, rumors begin going around about what really caused his injuries.

This wasn't the best written book I've ever read. However, the topics of football, violent sports, concussions, hazing are all ones that are engaging to kids. The format, especially, will hook readers in my opinion as the story is completely told through text messages, social media posts, newspaper articles, and free verse.

[Donna Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through text messages and short narratives, this story sheds a light on the group mentality of athletes trying to fit in and be accepted by their older peers. 13 year old Teddy is in a coma suffering from blunt trauma to his head while wearing a helmet in practice. His friends and family show support while trying to undercover the truth behind his injuries. Great middle school read about overcoming obstacles and being true to yourself!

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teddy Youngblood is admitted into intensive care after a football accident...or was it an accident?

Told through mixed-media (texts, dialog, newpaper articles, etc), Game Changer is ultimately about the dangers of toxic masculinity.

Recommended for middle/high school-aged reluctant readers.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the way it was written through various mediums - texts, postings, single sided conversations, etc.

[Monica Fumarolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's no "I" in team, but a young player suddenly finds himself all alone when a hard hit at football camp puts him in a coma. But freak accidents happen all the time in sports, right? Readers see the fallout from the point of view of Teddy's teammates, friends, coaches, classmates, and even Teddy himself as he fights for his life. Was this just an accident, or something far more sinister?

This book is primarily a novel in verse, but also includes text threads, message board posts, and even transcripts of conversations showing how rumors spread, truth can be twisted, and everyone has a role to play in this community. I think this book does a particularly good job looking at sports culture at US schools, especially football and how it comes with its own set of expectations and "allowable" behaviors. I actually wish the story continued either here or in a sequel to fully investigate the repercussions. I'm glad we picked it for a Battle of the Books selection at my school this year, and will continue to hand it to my middle school students.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teddy is in a coma from what appears to have been an accident during a preseason high school football practice. As an incoming freshman, Teddy along with his fellow freshman teammates participate in a game called the Rookie Rumble that is coached by the seniors on the football team. At the end of the game, Teddy passes out and is taken to the hospital. Teddy's entire family converges on the hospital, including his estranged mother, to speak to him and give him positive words of encouragement. In the meantime, online conversations and a therapist transcript with a player named Ethan hint at something more that may have happened during the Rookie Rumble.

Game Changer is told through online conversations, transcripts, and Teddy's thoughts. This format actually enhances the story because it precipitates opportunities for the reader to make inferences about what may have happened to Teddy. The characters are developed as their thoughts are outlined during these conversations. Real issues of violence in football as well as hazing are addressed in this book. My only complaint is that the ending seems a little to pat to be believable, but overall, Game Changer is a very well written book that deals with timely topics surrounding youth football.

Thanks to Kadi P. - Middle Grade Maven - for reading this book with me.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teddy is in a coma after football practice in late August. Told through texts, with online messages, as a novel in verse and more, this book will kept me turning the pages to find out what put Teddy in a coma. Was it the hot weather? A football practice that was too intense? A hazing ritual, an accident or something else?
A great book for discussing the pros and cons of high school sports.

[Margi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to try this book with some of my reluctant readers. Teddy is currently in a coma after a pre-season football injury. The story unfolds through text messages, conversations, newspaper articles, etc. I found the different text formats engaging and was curious to learn the truth behind Teddy's injury.

[Carol A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the unique formatting of this book. It puts the reader in the main character’s shoes, so as you read it, you feel like you are the character. I also loved the short sections that made it easy to read. I found myself reading right through to the end. It is a great book for middle grades and focuses on an important topic.

[Desiree Ogburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as I was scanning books into the system for my school but I like the format of using personal narrative, texts, social media etc. Its interesting how much pressure around sports and the protection of the team can impact not just the athletes but the coaches!!

The author loves sports but I like how he puts things into perspective and really makes the reader think.

[Kade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a good boo it was about freshman football players trying to impress the seniors and the coach and they have a hardest hit award that everyone try to get and that caused a really big injury

[Kathy Sandlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super fast read because the format is text messages, conversations, newspaper articles, etc. Lots of white space on the pages but it fits this topic. The dangers of playing football has been talked about now for a while. Yes, they try to make the game safer but this story points out it is not just the sport itself but the behaviors that surround it.

[Claire Rooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Game changer was a pretty good book and I liked the style of how it was written. The book ended with Teddy waking up from the coma, but I kinda wish we had seen what happened after he had woken up. Like whether he could play again or who he was mad at and stuff like that. But in all not a bad book

[Joseph C · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really recommend it if you are really into football and it really showed me how dangerous football can be just one hit can change everything.

[Tony · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like the book

[Cheyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's not what I normally would like. But I still loved it

[Liam M · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was good