Overview

Lena and Amanda are best friends and star soccer players--but what happens when the thing they love most threatens to tear them apart? Soccer has always been a part of Lena and Amanda's friendship. For six years, they have been an unstoppable team on and off the field: best friends and great teammates. Amanda is sure they'll both make the varsity team in ninth grade and go on to win the state championship. But when Lena makes the cut and Amanda doesn't, everything seems uncertain, and Amanda worries that her best friend is leaving her behind. With Shutout, Brendan Halpin has created a powerful story of friendship, sportsmanship, and growing up.

Full Product Details

9781336000575

Table of Contents

Reviews

A quick, good-natured, and perceptive read about best friends growing apart, no doubt one of the hardest parts of growing up. -Starred, Booklist The dialogue is spot-on, and the characters are fully fleshed out . . . . While there is plenty of soccer action for fans of the sport, the book will also appeal to teens looking for a solid friendship story. Halpin manages to convey the benefits of doing the right thing, but without preachiness. - School Library Journal Halpin's narrative adeptly segues between adrenaline-filled soccer matches to more reflective, contemplative passages. Amanda's quandary will resonate with readers as she tackles timely topics such as friendship woes, teen drinking and family life with admirable aplomb. - Kirkus Reviews

Author Information

BRENDAN HALPIN is the author of How Ya Like Me Now and Forever Changes, as well as a number of books for adults. He was a high school English teacher for ten years and presently teaches for Year Up in Boston.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available