TJ and the Sports Fanatic.

Deborah Dowson is a Canaadian children’s librarian in North Wales,
Pennsylvania.

For some unknown reason Seymour has turned into a football fanatic. Even though T.J. doesn’t like team sports, he agrees to go along with his best friend, Seymour, and join a new team that is starting up. Seymour and T.J. read everything they can find to learn about the sport, from coaching styles to professional football facts. They listen to the coaches, practise their drills, and learn their positions. T.J remains somewhat skeptical, and yet he discovers that he wants to be successful at his position. Much to his surprise, he accomplishes this and has fun as well. Seymour finally reveals that he is trying to be a football player like his father, who played in England. T.J realizes what this means and Seymour’s real gift for the game is discovered.

The focus of this story about T.J. is his discovery of the game of football, and the growth of his love for the sport. The football information proceeds from the most basic details, but includes interesting and varied facts about many aspects of the game. Although the focus is football, T.J. fans won’t be disappointed, as there are a lot of amusing scenes and a bit of suspense concerning T.J.’s family situation. This is a very captivating and mature story that is appropriate for early chapter book readers. Recommended.