Game Changer - (The Game Changer) by Tommy Greenwald (Hardcover)

About the Book

Thirteen-year-old Teddy Youngblood is in a coma after an unspecified football injury at training camp. Told through dialogue, texts, newspaper articles, transcripts, an online forum, and Teddy's inner thoughts, this novel explores the joyous thrills and terrifying risks of America's most popular sport.

Book Synopsis

A gripping story about the impact of sports culture on young athletes.

When high school football star Teddy Youngblood suffers a devastating injury that leaves him in a coma, the entire community is shaken. What begins as a tragic accident quickly unravels into a deeper mystery, as friends, teammates, and family members struggle to piece together what really happened on the field.

Through a fast-paced narrative that includes texts, interviews, and social media posts, Game Changer reveals the hidden pressures and emotional toll of competitive sports on young athletes.

Tommy Greenwald's timely and emotionally resonant story explores the culture of silence and loyalty that often surrounds high school athletics, raising questions about safety, accountability, and the cost of winning.

Game Changer is a powerful exploration of identity, peer pressure, and the complexities of growing up in a world where performance is everything. It's a compelling read that sparks conversation and encourages empathy.

This book is ideal for fans of realistic fiction, sports drama, and socially conscious storytelling. With its unique format and urgent themes, Game Changer stands out as a thought-provoking and unforgettable novel that challenges readers to rethink what it means to be a team player.

"A must-buy for libraries looking for innovative narratives for sports fans. Readers who enjoy Tim Green, Mike Lupica, and Kwame Alexander will want to pick this up." --School Library Journal

Review Quotes

"A must-buy for libraries looking for innovative narratives for sports fans. Readers who enjoy Tim Green, Mike Lupica, and Kwame Alexander will want to pick this up."--School Library Journal

"A must-read for any parent, coach, or young football player."--Midwest Book Review

"An ideal discussion starter for middle-school readers ready to debate whether football's--or any sport's--violence is reason to pull the plug."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Greenwald's novel entertains while exposing readers to the potential risks and consequences inherent in the sport of football . . . an interesting, innovative read."--Booklist

"Hand this to your reluctant readers who love football; the format makes this an incredibly easy story to navigate and will not intimidate struggling readers."--School Library Connection

"This nontraditional narrative, using conversations, interview transcripts, text messages, hospital reports, and other documents, skillfully peels back the elements of the mystery. The issues of football's violence are presented, but the book's real strength is the depiction of the culture behind it....The story will resonate with those on both sides of the debate about the role of youth football in society, and the unusual storytelling technique sets it apart from most sport fiction."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Tommy Greenwald is the author of Game Changer, Rivals, and Dinged. Game Changer is on 18 state lists, was an Amazon Best Book of the Month, a YALSA Top Ten pick, and a Junior Library Guild Premier selection. Rivals was also an Amazon Best Book of the Month, a Junior Library Guild selection, and a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. Greenwald is also the author of the Crimebiters! and Charlie Joe Jackson series, among many other books for children. Day job-wise, Tommy is the cofounder of Spotco Advertising, a theatrical and entertainment advertising agency in New York City, and the lyricist and co-book writer (with Andrew Lippa) of John & Jen, an off-Broadway musical that has been produced around the country and internationally.