Overview

In Backfield Boys, renowned sports journalist and New York Times-bestselling author John Feinstein tells a thrilling story of friendship, football, and a fight for justice. Freshman footballers Jason Roddin and Tom Jefferson are a perfect pair: Jason is a blazing-fast wide-receiver, while his best friend Tom has all the skills a standout quarterback needs. After summer football camp at an elite sports-focused boarding school, the boys are thrilled to be invited back with full-ride scholarships. But on day one of practice, they're shocked when the team's coaching staff makes Tom, a black kid, a receiver and Jason, a white kid, a quarterback. Confronted with mounting evidence of deep-seated racial bias, the boys speak out, risking their scholarships and chances to play. As tensions ratchet up with coaches and other players, Tom and Jason must decide how much they're willing to lose in a conflict with powerful forces that has nothing--and everything--to do with the game they love.

Full Product Details

9781250180643

Table of Contents

Reviews

Praise for Backfield Boys: ""An intriguing look at racism in contemporary sports and the power private schools have in shaping sports and upholding racist traditions."" --Booklist ""A strong football hook will draw in most sports fans . . . The boys' driving quest for the truth will keep readers engaged."" --School Library Journal ""Over 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."" --Children's Literature Praise for Foul Trouble: ""Thorough and suspenseful; a must-read for those interested in basketball and the dealings surrounding the sport."" --Kirkus Reviews, starred review ""A riveting, cautionary tale about behind-the-scenes, big-money pressures confronting talented high school athletes. . . . Timely hot topics are embedded in this action-packed sports story. Readers will breathlessly await Terrell's final decision."" --School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for Backfield Boys An intriguing look at racism in contemporary sports and the power private schools have in shaping sports and upholding racist traditions. --Booklist A strong football hook will draw in most sports fans . . . The boys' driving quest for the truth will keep readers engaged. --School Library Journal Over 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. --Children's Literature Praise for Foul Trouble Thorough and suspenseful; a must-read for those interested in basketball and the dealings surrounding the sport. --Kirkus Reviews, starred review A riveting, cautionary tale about behind-the-scenes, big-money pressures confronting talented high school athletes. . . . Timely hot topics are embedded in this action-packed sports story. Readers will breathlessly await Terrell's final decision. --School Library Journal, starred review An intriguing look at racism in contemporary sports and the power private schools have in shaping sports and upholding racist traditions. --Booklist Praise for Foul Trouble Thorough and suspenseful; a must-read for those interested in basketball and the dealings surrounding the sport. --Kirkus Reviews, starred review A riveting, cautionary tale about behind-the-scenes, big-money pressures confronting talented high school athletes. . . . Timely hot topics are embedded in this action-packed sports story. Readers will breathlessly await Terrell's final decision. --School Library Journal, starred review Praise for Foul Trouble Thorough and suspenseful; a must-read for those interested in basketball and the dealings surrounding the sport. --Kirkus Reviews, starred review A riveting, cautionary tale about behind-the-scenes, big-money pressures confronting talented high school athletes. . . . Timely hot topics are embedded in this action-packed sports story. Readers will breathlessly await Terrell's final decision. --School Library Journal, starred review

Author Information

John Feinstein (1955-2025) was a renowned sportswriter and the author of more than forty books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers A Season on the Brink and A Good Walk Spoiled. He also authored numerous sports-related mysteries and adventures for young readers, including the Benchwarmers trilogy and The Prodigy, the story of an amateur teen golfer playing the Masters. His first young adult mystery, Last Shot, won the Edgar Allen Poe Award. John worked as a sports columnist and commentator for the Washington Post, The Golf Channel, Sirius XM Radio, and Comcast Sportsnet. He died at age sixty-nine in 2025.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available