Claudia Mills, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
Troy is a sixth-grade football genius: he has an uncanny ability to predict any play by any team in any football game. But his gift does not help him on his own football team, where the coach unfairly favors his own, less-talented son as quarterback. And when Troy tries to use his predictive powers to help his favorite pro team--the Atlanta Falcons--to win, it only causes havoc on the sidelines and gets his single mother fired from her job in the Falcons public relations department. Finally, Troy’s growing friendship with Falcons’ star player Seth Halloway helps him find an unexpected way to solve both problems and come into his own as a young football hero. Tim Green is himself a former Atlanta Falcons defensive end and author of numerous bestselling adult suspense novels. Here, in his debut novel for young readers, Green shows himself a master of nonstop, relentless suspense, constantly creating new, seemingly impossible obstacles for Troy to overcome, and raising the stakes for Troy if he fails to do so. The basic premise for the story requires considerable suspension of reader disbelief-- could someone really have the gift of infallibly predicting football plays? And if someone did have such a gift, would not a team’s reliance on that gift be a form of cheating? Nonetheless, Troy’s predicament is so gripping, and Green’s storytelling skills are so finely honed, that it is worth accepting it all and going along on the thrilling ride to the novel’s completely satisfying conclusion. 2007, HarperCollins, $16.99. Ages 10 to 14.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 12))
Sixth-grader Troy White is a one-of-a-kind athlete with the ability to predict which plays any football team will run even before the ball is snapped. However, his mental talents don't help him crack his youth-league team's starting lineup (the coach plays his own son at quarterback). Troy dreams of pitching his talent to his beloved Atlanta Falcons, helping them post a winning season. Seemingly an after-school-special waiting to happen, and marked by cinematic writing, this feel-good story has a place in libraries fielding requests for clean and uplifting stories. Touching scenes of underdog Troy wishing he had a father to help him are contrasted with very realistic on-the-field football action, which is not surprising considering that the author is a former NFL player. Many actual players' names are dropped throughout the story but some, like Randy Moss, may soon switch teams. More than a sports story, romance pops up as Troy nudges star Falcon linebacker Seth Halloway to date Troy's mother. This light and fast-paced story will appeal to the tween crowd. 2007, HarperCollins, 256p, $16.99. Category: Fiction. Ages 10 to 13. © 2007 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Paula Rohrlick (KLIATT Review, July 2007 (Vol. 41, No. 4))
Troy, age 12, is a dedicated if hotheaded football fan with a unique gift: he can predict plays. When his single mother gets a job with the Atlanta Falcons football team and obtains a field pass for a game, Troy’s gift combined with his impetuous nature nearly gets her fired when he tries to get onto the field to suggest a play to help the team win. Luckily, the team’s star linebacker, Seth Halloway, believes in Troy’s gift, and despite mean Coach Krock, Troy ends up helping out his favorite team, kindling some romance between Seth and his mom, and even getting Seth to coach Troy’s own team. Troy’s behavior isn’t always admirable--he steals a football from Seth at one point, for instance, though his mother makes him return it--but in the end he learns “The truth is more important than the trouble it brings.” Reminiscent of Mike Lupica’s sports novels for YAs, this first novel for young readers by Tim Green, a former star linebacker for the Falcons, will appeal to all young football fans with its authentic football action and determined young hero. Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: J--Recommended for junior high school students. 2007, HarperCollins, 256p., $16.99 and $17.89. Ages 12 to 15.

Elizabeth Bush (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, October 2007 (Vol. 61, No. 2))
Despite being the most able quarterback on the Tigers, twelve-year-old Troy isn’t getting any playing time—Coach Renfro sees to it that his own son, Jamie, has a lock on that position. Trying to rile his rival, Troy swipes a team football from the backyard of his sports hero, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Seth Halloway. Jamie feigns indifference and mocks the losing Falcons, but Troy’s social capital may be on the upswing nonetheless: his single mom has just landed a job in PR with the Falcons. However, the first time Troy wields his all-access pass he’s in trouble; gifted with a savant-like ability to identify patterns in offensive plays, Troy tries to catch the attention of the coaching staff and save the game, but he only succeeds in getting himself thrown out and jeopardizing Mom’s job. After several disappointing attempts to prove his talent, Troy convinces the team’s owner to give him a try, saves the Falcons’ season, hooks Halloway up with Mom, lands himself a $10,000 per game slot as ball boy (signaling plays from the sideline), and of course dishes the Renfros their richly deserved comeuppance. This exercise in predictable wish-fulfillment runs on a little longer than necessary, and Troy’s de rigueur sidekicks and wise counselor grandfather add little overall. The premise of Troy’s prescience is appealing, though, and the effortless commingling of real players with fictional characters (Falcon Michael Vick’s high-profile dogfighting scandal is doubtless a distraction Green could not have anticipated) should keep middle-graders engrossed Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2007, HarperCollins, 244p., $17.89 and $16.99. Grades 4-6.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2008)
Using his mind "to analyze tendencies...like a supercomputer," twelve-year-old Troy White can predict any opposing team's upcoming plays. Yet this "football genius" must overcome several obstacles to help the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, in whose PR department his single mom works. If readers can suspend their disbelief of the premise, they'll relish the sympathetic characters, fast-paced action, and insider details. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2007, HarperCollins, 244pp, 16.99, 17.89. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.

Jewell Fine (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 20, No. 3))
This is the story of Troy. Troy is a sixth grader with a special talent. He can predict football plays before they happen. Troy’s favorite team is the Atlanta Falcons. But first, Troy and his friends, Tate and Nathan, must prove Troy’s special talent to the players and the team. Readers will want to follow Troy, Tate, and Nathan as they convince the Falcons of Troy’s special talent that can help them win the season. This is a story of how dreams can come true, especially for someone who’s seen as an underdog. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades 3 and up. 2007, HarperCollins, 244p., $17.89. Ages 8 up.

Debbie Clifford (VOYA, August 2007 (Vol. 30, No 3))
Twelve-year-old Troy has a gift. He can see football plays before they develop. He knows that his talent could help his beloved Atlanta Falcons-but how can he make them aware of it? When his single mother gets a PR job with the team, Troy sees his chance. He uses the sideline pass secured by his mother to try talking to a coach. Things go badly, and his mother nearly loses her job. Meanwhile Troy also struggles with being a talented quarterback who warms the bench while the bully who is the coach's less-talented son plays first string. An aging Falcon linebacker befriends Troy and helps him to realize his dreams. This story is frustrating from the start. For a twelve-year-old, Troy is pretty immature as he is given to crying quite readily when things go wrong. He frequently disobeys when the punishment obstructs his plans to help the Falcons. After being grounded by his mom for one of his misdeeds, he plants his best friend in his room playing video games while he sneaks out in another attempt to make things go his way. The football insider aspects of the story will appeal to some, but most teen readers will tire of Troy and his antics. VOYA CODES: 2Q 2P M (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2007, HarperCollins, 256p., $16.99 and PLB $17.89. Ages 11 to 14.