{"product_id":"backfield-boys-a-football-mystery-in-black-and-white-9781250180643","title":"Backfield Boys: A Football Mystery in Black and White","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"The best writer of sports books in America today\" (\u003ci\u003eThe Boston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e) tells a thrilling story of friendship, football, and a fight for justice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRenowned sports journalist and \u003ci\u003eNew York Times-\u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author John Feinstein's young adult novel \u003ci\u003eBackfield Boys \u003c\/i\u003efollows best friends and football stars Jason Roddin and Tom Jefferson, a perfect, though unconventional, pair: Jason, the Jewish kid, is lightning fast and a natural wide-receiver, while African-American Tom has an amazing arm and a quarterback's feel for the game. After summer football camp at an elite sports-focused boarding school, the boys are thrilled to enroll on scholarship for their freshman year--despite their mothers' fears of injury and especially CTE. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOn day one, they're stunned when the coaches make Tom a receiver and Jason a quarterback, a complete contradiction to their skill sets and training. Suspecting deep-seated racial bias, the boys speak out, risking both their scholarships and their chance to play. Soon local newspaper reports begin a secret investigation, and as tensions rise Jason and Tom must decide how much they're willing to lose in their quest to expose the ugly remnants of a racist past that still linger in contemporary jock culture. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eBackfield Boys\u003c\/i\u003e: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAn intriguing look at racism in contemporary sports and the power private schools have in shaping sports and upholding racist traditions. --\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A strong football hook will draw in most sports fans . . . The boys' driving quest for the truth will keep readers engaged.\" --School Library Journal \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOver the years, John Feinstein has built a career covering many aspects of athletics as a sportswriter, author, and media commentator. He has also written several sports novels for young adult audiences. In his most recent novel, Feinstein tackles racism in a way that is both thought-provoking and timely. . . . The end product is a fast-paced, reflective, well-written book that simultaneously entertains and challenges its readers. --\u003ci\u003eChildren's Literature\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Square Fish\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/28\/2018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781250180643\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 384\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.75lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.20h x 5.40w x 1.20d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccelerated Reader Quiz #\/Name: \u003c\/b\u003e191609 \/ Backfield Boys: A Football Mystery in Black and White\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 5.6 \/ \u003cb\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Middle Grade Plus \/ \u003cb\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/b\u003e 13\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"John Feinstein","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36648662532252,"sku":"9781250180643","price":11.04,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_83f9c349-16fc-41bb-b615-68eea72abc9e.jpg?v=1603870681","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/backfield-boys-a-football-mystery-in-black-and-white-9781250180643","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}