What do you think?
Rate this book
Family Huddle
HUDDLE UP WITH THE MOST FAMOUS FAMILY IN FOOTBALL - THE MANNINGS!!!
Pile into the car with Eli, Peyton and their older brother, Cooper in Family Huddle for a trip to visit their grandparents. Their dad, former NFL star Archie Manning, is at the wheel with Olivia at his side. Eli, Peyton and Cooper joke around and play football at every opportunity. The boys run fun plays like the buttonhook, quarterback sneak, and hook and ladder. Family and football will always be a big deal in the Manning family. Family Huddle is based on some of the Mannings’ memories from their days in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Pile into the car with Eli, Peyton and their older brother, Cooper in Family Huddle for a trip to visit their grandparents. Their dad, former NFL star Archie Manning, is at the wheel with Olivia at his side. Eli, Peyton and Cooper joke around and play football at every opportunity. The boys run fun plays like the buttonhook, quarterback sneak, and hook and ladder. Family and football will always be a big deal in the Manning family. Family Huddle is based on some of the Mannings’ memories from their days in Louisiana and Mississippi.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 11, 2026
Peyton, Eli, and their father Archie Manning were all excellent NFL quarterbacks, and here they combine talents to write a picture book reminiscing about the family dynamic out of which the younger Mannings grew up. Peyton, Eli, and their older brother Cooper loved football as kids, and as Family Huddle opens, we see them competing for who can complete the most difficult catch. Their mother calls them to get into the family car for their trip to Mississippi to visit Archie's mother. Luckily, Eli sneaks a football into the car so the brothers can have some fun.
Sports trivia keeps Peyton, Eli, and Cooper entertained on the long drive, and at Grandma Sis's house they start a football game with neighborhood boys. As a trio, the Mannings concoct trick plays that no normal kids would. After leaving Grandma Sis's, they visit their maternal grandparents, a stay also marked by impromptu football action. Is it any surprise that Peyton and Eli will grow up to be football legends, each with two Super Bowl victories to his name?
The athletic prowess in the Manning family is astounding. People forget Cooper, but had he not suffered spinal stenosis coming out of high school, he might have had a great NFL career like his brothers. The fact that this book gives Cooper a moment in the limelight is my favorite part of what feels like an essential read for any boy as zealous about football as the Mannings.
Sports trivia keeps Peyton, Eli, and Cooper entertained on the long drive, and at Grandma Sis's house they start a football game with neighborhood boys. As a trio, the Mannings concoct trick plays that no normal kids would. After leaving Grandma Sis's, they visit their maternal grandparents, a stay also marked by impromptu football action. Is it any surprise that Peyton and Eli will grow up to be football legends, each with two Super Bowl victories to his name?
The athletic prowess in the Manning family is astounding. People forget Cooper, but had he not suffered spinal stenosis coming out of high school, he might have had a great NFL career like his brothers. The fact that this book gives Cooper a moment in the limelight is my favorite part of what feels like an essential read for any boy as zealous about football as the Mannings.
June 25, 2012
Even though I typically love all things Manning, this book was pretty dreadful. The illustrations were okay, and some kids will enjoy the football references, but there was no plot to speak of. I'm still not quite sure what the point of this book is.
May 20, 2018
Plotless and pointless.
Read
April 15, 2018Text-to-Self Connection
In the book The Family huddle was a remarkable story about a family working together. I absolutely love football, and this was a wonderful way for me to introduce teamwork in my class. This family shows you no matter what happens that teamwork and sticking together will get the job done. I would also Express in our classroom we are a team and that we also must work together to get our assignments done.
In the book The Family huddle was a remarkable story about a family working together. I absolutely love football, and this was a wonderful way for me to introduce teamwork in my class. This family shows you no matter what happens that teamwork and sticking together will get the job done. I would also Express in our classroom we are a team and that we also must work together to get our assignments done.
December 5, 2017
1. Awards: None
2. Appropriate grade(s): First grade through fourth grade
3. 3-line original summary: This book is about three brothers and their parents before and on a trip to their grandparent’s house. The family’s favorite sport is football, so the three brothers, Eli, Peyton, and Cooper, play football all the time, using different plays the father, Archie, has taught them. In the end, they play a family round, stating that they will always be on a winning team if they stand by each other.
4. 3-line original review: I think this is a very cute story that some children who love sports can relate to. As well, this book is written by three popular NFL players that some kids might recognize, therefore become excited about the book. The book has great illustrations, and can really captivate the young reader.
5. 2-3 in class uses:
• Have younger students draw a scene of their favorite sport or activity they like to do.
• Have older students write a short narrative about a time when their family, or themselves, played a sport that they loved.
2. Appropriate grade(s): First grade through fourth grade
3. 3-line original summary: This book is about three brothers and their parents before and on a trip to their grandparent’s house. The family’s favorite sport is football, so the three brothers, Eli, Peyton, and Cooper, play football all the time, using different plays the father, Archie, has taught them. In the end, they play a family round, stating that they will always be on a winning team if they stand by each other.
4. 3-line original review: I think this is a very cute story that some children who love sports can relate to. As well, this book is written by three popular NFL players that some kids might recognize, therefore become excited about the book. The book has great illustrations, and can really captivate the young reader.
5. 2-3 in class uses:
• Have younger students draw a scene of their favorite sport or activity they like to do.
• Have older students write a short narrative about a time when their family, or themselves, played a sport that they loved.
April 25, 2020
Okay, let's get the obvious right off the bat. It's not well written. It's long and wordy and you can't help but wonder, what's the point? And all of the football plays being thrown in there over and over again--we get it, it's written by football players.
But I remember seeing this book come through the library and I begged to have it. It's written by the Manning family! For those who know me, I freaking love Peyton Manning. Eli isn't terrible but he pales compare to Peyton. So I'm a sucker for this book....even if it less than great.
But I remember seeing this book come through the library and I begged to have it. It's written by the Manning family! For those who know me, I freaking love Peyton Manning. Eli isn't terrible but he pales compare to Peyton. So I'm a sucker for this book....even if it less than great.
February 8, 2021
Genre: Biographical Nonfiction
Grade: 2-3
This is a book written by a former NFL football player who loves family and football. He tells about what it was like growing up with two brothers and how important family was to them. It is fun for any child at any age to look at an example of how close a family can be and how important families are. It also shows the importance of following a dream and working for it with those you love.
Grade: 2-3
This is a book written by a former NFL football player who loves family and football. He tells about what it was like growing up with two brothers and how important family was to them. It is fun for any child at any age to look at an example of how close a family can be and how important families are. It also shows the importance of following a dream and working for it with those you love.
July 26, 2019
This was a book I purchased for my one son's Christmas presents.
September 21, 2020
This book is especially one for younger boys! This book gives a sneak peek into what the Manning’s lives truly became!
June 1, 2021
Proud to be amongst other great Mannings
August 23, 2021
Everyone doesn't need to write a children's book.
Gonna try it with my football loving kids and see if they like it.
Gonna try it with my football loving kids and see if they like it.
May 16, 2023
A look at a generational football family, how their love of family and football comes together.
February 20, 2024
A story about the Manning family and how much they loved playing football as children. Readers see them travel to both grandparents' homes and play the game no matter where they were.
March 14, 2024
This book is mostly about football and family time.
December 23, 2024
Late Log
February 1, 2017
Not enough of a plot to hold a child's attention
January 22, 2024
This book is so good I would read it 400 times if I had time to
March 21, 2017
Great example of how nonfiction books can be exciting and interesting! They aren't just a list of facts!
October 3, 2019
Genre: biography
Appropriate Grade Range: Preschool-2
Review: This is a biography about the Mannings. I like this story because it talks about the relationship between all the siblings and the rest of the family like their mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa. This story is great because it reminds me of playing ball in the yard with my siblings. I think it’s cool that the Mannings came together to write this book too.
Appropriate Grade Range: Preschool-2
Review: This is a biography about the Mannings. I like this story because it talks about the relationship between all the siblings and the rest of the family like their mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa. This story is great because it reminds me of playing ball in the yard with my siblings. I think it’s cool that the Mannings came together to write this book too.
October 12, 2017
K-6; biography; Beautiful story and lesson on the importance of spending quality time with family. Before reading I would introduce Eli and Peyton Manning to younger readers if they are already not familiar with who they are. You will easily be able to explain their life before and after to expand on the story!
Read
May 7, 2014In this picture book readers join the Manning brothers Eli, Peyton and Cooper, and their parents Archie & Olivia, on a trip to their grandparent’s house. It is the story of brothers playing and joking together and playing a lot of football!
Although the authors & characters include sports figures many students will know of, the story itself is not autobiographical. Written for grades PreK-grade 2, this book exemplifies family relationships and the life of young boys. Students may take interest in this book because of who characters are as adults but will discover they are relatable, “normal” kids.
This book will make a great addition to any classroom library, appealing particularly to students who like football. Using this story as a model, it could be the centerpiece of a writing lesson about a family event – a road trip, the birth of a new sibling, a move to a new home, etc.
Although the authors & characters include sports figures many students will know of, the story itself is not autobiographical. Written for grades PreK-grade 2, this book exemplifies family relationships and the life of young boys. Students may take interest in this book because of who characters are as adults but will discover they are relatable, “normal” kids.
This book will make a great addition to any classroom library, appealing particularly to students who like football. Using this story as a model, it could be the centerpiece of a writing lesson about a family event – a road trip, the birth of a new sibling, a move to a new home, etc.
September 14, 2016
Family Huddle is about Archie, Peyton, Eli and Cooper Manning. At the start of the book, the kids are playing football in the backyard with their dad, but then it's time to leave for a road trip to their grandparents' house. The whole time they were there, they ran different football plays and had a good time. After an exhausting time at their grandparents', they went home and finished their game with their dad.
I thought this book was really good, but I was kind of confused only because I don't understand football. I don't really watch sports, so this book wouldn't be my pick, but it would be a good book for someone who likes sports to read!
I think this book would be good to engage the male students, because boys love playing with footballs as children, so this would be really interesting to them. It would also probably bring up memories of watching football with their dad.
I thought this book was really good, but I was kind of confused only because I don't understand football. I don't really watch sports, so this book wouldn't be my pick, but it would be a good book for someone who likes sports to read!
I think this book would be good to engage the male students, because boys love playing with footballs as children, so this would be really interesting to them. It would also probably bring up memories of watching football with their dad.
December 5, 2016
Family Huddle by Peyton Manning is a realistic fiction that is intended for grades Pre K-2. This book is about the manning boys and football. Eli, Cooper and Peyton pile into the car for a trip to visit their grandparents. Their dad, former NFL star Archie Manning and mom Olivia are in the front seats enjoying their boys. The boys joke around and play football at every opportunity, running fun plays. This book is more for children interested in football. The language is easy to read and the pictures are fun. Young readers could use this book to read aloud and write about their own experience with their family. It encourages family time and bonding. The book uses a lot of football language and it could be difficult for a young reader to understand the text.
Read
September 24, 2009This is a great boy book. It is all about family and football. The illustrations are big, colorful, and eye catching. It does have literary value because it is loaded with football terminology. I don’t thing I would read it to a class. I had a hard time connecting with it and I think some boys and girls would have a hard time connecting with it also. I did how ever like the number game that the family played in the car. Someone would shout out a number then the other person had to say the name of someone who wore that number jersey. It got me to thinking that that game could be played a lot of different ways, which could be fun and entertaining.
March 21, 2014
This book is about the actual Manning family when Peyton and Eli were young. The story has colorful illustrations and is an easy read. I think it would be a good suggestion for students interested in football. The book features a lot of football play lingo that they would enjoy. This could be used in a beginning lesson or introductory book for a read aloud that students could use to free write about their own experience with their family. You could also use this book to engage a student in reading. It's good to have a variety of books from different genres and with a variety of subject matter to engage all students as readers.
December 17, 2016
Awards: None
Grade Levels: K-2
Summary: In this book we learn about the Manning family in the early years. Peyton, Eli, Cody and their father Archie all love football and are playing it all the time. They visit their grandparents in Mississippi and Louisiana where they play even more football.
Review: This was a really cute book. For fans of football, and the Mannings in particular, this is a look into what their life was like before they were a family of football stars. The best part was when they went over different types of plays.
In Class Uses: Class library, Read Aloud, teaching working together
Grade Levels: K-2
Summary: In this book we learn about the Manning family in the early years. Peyton, Eli, Cody and their father Archie all love football and are playing it all the time. They visit their grandparents in Mississippi and Louisiana where they play even more football.
Review: This was a really cute book. For fans of football, and the Mannings in particular, this is a look into what their life was like before they were a family of football stars. The best part was when they went over different types of plays.
In Class Uses: Class library, Read Aloud, teaching working together
February 3, 2016
the illustrations were nice and colorful, but the lack of a plot makes this book a nitch story. I wanted to use it for my superbowl story time, but unless the kids all know who the mannings are (they don't) and really love football (doubtful) then this is just not going to go over. On the bright side, I guess you learn something new every day, because I thought there was only one manning, and learned there were three. Also, it's perfect for or football display. Would recommend for a football loving family. Preferably fans of whatever team the Mannings play on.
Read
April 19, 2012Family Huddle is a contemporary realistic fiction book about 3 brothers and a few of their adventures playing football with each other. This book would be appropriate for primary or intermediate readers, and I would say it's geared more towards boys. I think it's a good read for elementary school boys because (most) boys love sports. It's relateable because the boys never want to come in for supper, they just want to keep playing, which is something most of us can identify with!
November 30, 2013
Enjoyable story of one of America's most loved sports families. The format and overall feeling of the book is that of familiarity as readers can resonate with many of the events and traditions in the Manning household. This book may be beneficial for boys striving to connect with literature due to kinesthetic interests. Wonderful potential for acting out on the playground or other modes of involvement.
February 24, 2010
Family Huddle is a book that will appeal to boys and kids who like football. It tells about the Manning family when the boys were young and how they played football together all the time and enjoyed visiting with their grandparents. The story even includes how to do a few football plays It is a nice story with the message that family is important. Good for grades K-3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews