Sidelined

By Kara Bietz

Book Overview

An emotional YA romance about small town secrets, high school football, and broken hearts.

Julian Jackson has a short to-do list for his senior year at Crenshaw County High School in Meridien, Texas: football, football, and more football. He knows he's only got one chance to earn a college scholarship and make it out of his small town, and keeping his head down, his grades up, and his cleats on the field is that one chance. And then Elijah Vance walks back into his life, throwing all of his carefully-laid plans into a tailspin.

Elijah and Julian used to be best friends, maybe even on their way to something more than just friends. But three years ago, Elijah broke into the school to steal money from the coach's office, and Julian was the one who turned him in. After that, Elijah and his family disappeared without a trace. And now he's back, sitting at Julian's grandmother's kitchen table. But time and distance haven't erased all of their feelings, and Elijah knows that he finally has a chance to prove to Julian that he's not the same person he was three years ago. But with secrets still growing between them and an uncertain future barreling towards them, it may be harder to lean on each other than they thought.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0759557519
• ISBN13: 9780759557512
• Release Date: September 2021
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.7" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

Imagine actually enjoying a book about football. Never thought I would, but here I am saying I loved

Julian, he is very serious about everything, which I often relate to. He holds onto what has happened in his life, and continues asking “but why? I didn’t deserve that.” Elijah, sweet Elijah. I have a soft spot for Elijah, and I was rooting for him ever since I opened the book. The book isn’t just about football, otherwise I wouldn’t have read it, if I’m being honest. The book is about friendship, love, being who you are, owning your truths, and so much more.