Long Bomb

Ed doesn’t realize the qualities he possesses. He sees himself as a nonentity, especially compared with Tyrone, Sanjay and Lamar, top players in the Mustangs, his high school football team. Though Ed has great memories of playing the game with his dad, he knows he is too tall and skinny to be a player. In his role of team waterboy, Ed knows the players, especially Tyrone, the best quarterback in the league, who is arrogant, treating others, especially Ed, with disdain both in and out of school. When Lamar is injured, the Coach, having seen Ed make a fantastic catch, asks him to fill in. Ed now has his chance to shine, and, in the process, teaches his teammates a thing or two about sportsmanship.

Long Bomb is part of Lorimer’s hi- lo “Sports Stories” series aimed at 10-13year olds. In common with the other titles in the series, this novel is a straightforward, fast-paced, easy read, with plenty of action including tense descriptions of key moments in the game. Ed is an underdog: “It wasn’t like I was Mr. Popular or anything”, and readers will find satisfaction as he comes into his own. Though the novel is slightly formulaic in its predictability, the author has created nicely rounded characters and a believable plot. There is even a hint or two of romance that will appeal and a wistfulness regarding Ed’s father walking out of his life.

Titles for reluctant readers, especially when combined with sports themes, are always in demand, and Long Bomb, with its realism and rousing action, will be popular in both school and public library collections.