Go Long!

Kickoff! Bk. 2: Go Long!
by Tiki & Ronde Barber
with Paul Mantell

GO LONG! by

with Paul Mantell

Category:

Contemporary

Age Recommendation:

Grades 6+

Release Date: 8/26/08

Publisher: Paula Wiseman

Reviewed by:

Rating:

5 Stars

GO LONG! is a football story starring Tiki and Ronde Barber as young, up-and-coming players. This fast-paced,

inspirational sports tale is sure to be popular with the middle grade crowd. Tiki and Ronde draw on their early years

in the

sport to encourage young people to use their talents and play the game with a sense of fair play and teamwork.

The story begins as Tiki and Ronde start their 8th-grade year. They are anxious to take the field as starters this year,

but

the coach upsets the entire team when he announces that he is moving up to coach the high school team. Sure

that all of

their previous success has been due to his excellent coaching abilities, the players nervously await the

naming of their new

coach. It is a surprise to all when the history teacher, Mr. Wheeler, is given the job. He is a

terrific teacher, but that

doesn’t guarantee anything about his coaching skills.

Tiki and Ronde try to roll with the punches when the first few games end in defeat; however, Cody, the team’s

quarterback, is not being a team player. Cody argues with Coach Wheeler and questions his every move, causing

team

morale to sink to an all-time low. It is not until Tiki and a few loyal players take the time to get to know Coach

Wheeler

and his plans for the team that things start to look more positive for a winning season.

GO LONG! presents a message of cooperation and team spirit, and that along with a strong plot line and likeable

characters make it a book that won’t gather much dust on the shelf.