Second Stringer

by Thomas J. Dygard

Book Overview

When Warren High's star quarterback is injured during the season opener, Kevin Taylor takes over the position. There's only one problem: Kevin has been used to watching the plays from the sidelines, not leading them from the line of scrimmage. Page-turning sports action and compelling personal drama make this another winner from popular sports novelist Thomas Dygard. Young Adults' Choices for 2000 (IRA)

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688159818
• ISBN13: 9780688159818
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Theres Always Hope

In Second Stringer by Thomas J. Dygard Warren High's star quarterback is injured during the season opener, Kevin Taylor takes over the position. There's only one problem: Kevin has been used to watching the plays from the sidelines, not leading them from the line of scrimmage. Kevin has enough problems worrying about what this season is going to turn into, but on top of that he has no support from anyone and no one believes in him. Warren High is a big football school. They take this sport seriously, which can bring more nerves to someone. Right now its do or die time for Kevin, everyone thinks he is a nerd. But Kevin has the chance to prove everyone wrong. Will Kevin have what it takes to lead the Warren High Lions to another state football championship? Read this outstanding book to find out what happens. I thought that Second Stringer was an outstanding novel. I feel that this book could really change kids minds on sports because I know kids that will not play a sport because they believe that they will never play and the team doesn't need them, that's what Kevin's like but he doesn't quit. I have kind of experienced the same thing as Kevin. I was pulled up to varsity for baseball to play outfield and pinch run. But the whole season I went into every game preparing myself to pinch run. Then our last game of the year which was our biggest of the whole year I was in the dug out and our centerfielder got hurt and I had to go in. I was so nervous I wanted to puke. So I know how this book can change someone's life. I think there would be very few people that wouldn't like this book. I recommend this book to everyone that loves sports.

Score Within

Doing your best is often the only thing required to overcome the expectations of others. Kevin Taylor, a second string quarterback for the Warren High Lions, overcame the expectations of others when it was time for him to step in as the first string quarterback. Rob Montgomery, the strong accurate passing arm quarterback, got injured in the game and was no longer able to continue out the season. Nobody expected Kevin to be as good as Rob. However, when Rob pushed aside his feelings about Kevin taking his spot, he offered Kevin some tips to strengthen his plays. Kevin didn't understand why Rob was so helpful to someone who took his spot. Rob needed to be a part of the game, even if it was only to give some helpful plays. As Kevin proves to his teammates that he can lead them to a victory, Rob proves to himself, that there is life outside of playing football.This was a very interesting story. This book describes the plays of each game in detail. When reading the plays of the game, we felt like we were actually there. This book teaches us that you can't judge a person if you don't really know that person. It also shows that making a team effort will lead you to a victory. This book would be gratifying for students in the 7th grade and above. If you are a lover of football, this is the book for you! Teachers and parents could use this book to explain the history of football, the importance of all team members, and teach an intergrated math lesson.

Hut! Hut! Hike!

This book was excellent. The author, Thomas J. Dygard, takes a real life high school situation and makes it an exciting book that you can't stop reading. This book is basically about a football team that has a star quarterback, Rob Montgomery, and a backup quarterback, Kevin Taylor. Kevin has had to live with this from eighth grade all the way through high school. Now Kevin is a senior, however Rob couldn't be playing any better, Kevin knows that Rob is quicker, stronger, and is an overall better football player. During a game, Rob was sacked and took a hard hit to his knee, everybody gathered around while the doctors were examining his leg. The final decision was made and Rob was taken off the field. The coach with no hesitation calls Kevin and tells him a play. Kevin snaps on his helmet and charges into the field. After a couple of games, Rob starts talking to Kevin and gives him some pointers which is really odd because Rob hasn't said a word to Kevin for the whole season. And they become really good friends, but the players don't have that trust in Kevin, like they had in Rob. Will Kevin win the season, and the hearts of the town and the players? If you want to know, then read it. As I read this book I remembered that I saw a movie that had the same story, except the book was a lot better. It went into more detail on the game itself. And being born in India, where we see football as kicking a ball in a goal, it was extremely helpful. However the reason why I chose this book is because I have played football before and loving the sport. I think this book is for any sports fan, whether you play basketball or volleyball or any sport, you will love this book. Also whether you are young or old, you wont be able to put this book down.

A good quality choice in reading material.

Second Drtringer is an excellent book. One reason is its about football. Another reason is that it tells a good story and has good detail. The final reason is that Second Stringer is good is because it has good detail. There is a lot of good parts in this book. The best part is towards the end of the book when Kevin and the Warren High Lions(his team) is in the championship. Thomas J. Dygard did a good job of the ending and describing main events in the book. He made a really enjoyable book. This book was awesome.

The Back Up Quaterback

Kevin Taylor was the back up Qb on the warren high lions, all through out his life he backed up Ron Montgomery as Quaterback. Rob had more experiance an had more strenght an accuacy in his throw. Till one day on the first warren high football game rob was sacked an got hurt an they had to put Kevin in.For the first game kevin did well,but now that rob was hurt he had to play the rest of the season. While he was learning n everything all of a sudden it seemed that rob wanted to be his friend. Giving him pointers an helping him out.This book is good for any one who was a back up or just not good enough. This is a great book and i know young or old u would enjoy it to.