Touchdown: #6

by Paul Nichols

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345351142
• ISBN13: 9780345351142
• Release Date: April 1989
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

A lesson that there is no victory without a team victory

Matt Kildare is a very talented high school football player, his speed afoot allows him to regularly outrun the defensive backs and make catches for big yardage. He is also a boy with several problems, the first of which is that his relationship with his father is somewhat strained. His twin sister Melizza is a musical prodigy and she gets the lion share of attention and praise, although Matt and Melizza are devoted to each other. The second problem is a consequence of the first; Matt is a showboat on and off the field, sometimes to the detriment of team unity. Matt's team, the Tucker Tigers, are in the playoffs and going for the local title, they need to play two more games against teams that appear superior in size and strength. Matt's life is further complicated when a local gambler approaches him and offers him a college football scholarship in exchange for future "consideration" in working to keep the score within desired parameters. He is put to the ultimate test when Melizza is hit by a car and may need surgery in order to recover complete use of her hands. The gambler then offers to pay for all operations if Matt will throw the championship game. With the offer coming right after Matt visits his injured sister in the hospital, he seriously considers it, even though he knows it is wrong. Fortunately, Matt and his father are able to work through their differences at the last minute and this gives Matt the strength to play to win. Although Matt faces several levels of adversity, he is able to face them all and triumph in the end. This is a sound book about doing the right thing and ultimately understanding that there is no victory without a team victory.