Game Change

Perhaps the worst thing that could befall a high school football team is for its quarterback to have a serious injury just before the state championship, but that’s exactly what happens to Rumney High School’s T.T. Monroe when he breaks his leg. This means it’s up to Zeb Holloway, the backup quarterback, to prepare not only physically and mentally for the game but earn his teammates' respect as well. Meanwhile, he’s trying to figure out what he should do with the rest of his life, which isn’t easy since his dad deserted him and his mom, forcing them to live in a camper on his uncle’s property. He’s also suddenly receiving attention from a hot cheerleader as well as a former fat girl who’s moved back to town and is easy to talk to. There’s plenty of football action here, but Game Change is also a book about friendship, relationships, and family, and each subject is excellently rendered with an interesting cast of characters and believable dialog.