Playing With the Boys:
A Pretty Tough Novel
by Liz Tigelaar

    PLAYING WITH THE BOYS by Liz Tigelaar
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  4/10/08
    Publisher:  Razorbill
    Reviewed by:  Jennifer Rummel
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Lucy’s father forced her to move to Malibu right after her freshman year of high school.  She’s heartbroken to leave
    her best friend and the house where everything reminds of her mother.  

    The first week has been rough, but then she starts soccer tryouts. Lucy loves soccer and being a part of the team.  
    She’s devastated when her name is not on the list.  However, the coach pulls her aside and tells her that the football
    team needs a quick replacement kicker and she should try out.  At first, Lucy thinks the idea is crazy, but the more
    she thinks about it the more she likes it.

    She makes the team, but doesn’t have the instant camaraderie that she’s been craving.  Instead, the team members
    give her a hard time.  Her father has forbidden her to join the team, so she lies.  He thinks she’s joined the
    cheerleading squad.  He will discover the truth soon and then Lucy will have to figure out how hard she’ll fight to
    remain on a team that doesn’t want her.

    Lucy Malone’s determination and strength leads her to go where no other girl in school has gone before – the all-
    boys football team.  Once on the team, she doesn’t shy away from all the pressure, the grief, and her father’s
    objections.