Member Reviews

Important, timely and entertaining. This is a very readable sports book with a lot of heart. I think that middle grade readers will enjoy this book and it will have further appeal than Jacqueline Woodson's Before the Ever After

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved #GameChanger and knew I needed to read Dinged!

Caleb loves football🏈 and so does his Dad as he was an NFL player! Caleb notices differences in his dad as he is forgetting things and becoming angry randomly. Caleb worries about Dad, the risks of football, his future and his family’s future. So many lessons are learned on and off the field!!

Students will love this one! In my classes the last few years, #BeforetheEverAfter by @jacqueline_woodson was a #litcircle choice. #Dinged would pair perfectly and open great small group discussions!!

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To me, these books are a great combination of sports and social issues. The format is really engaging as well. Maybe they're a little fast paced and the characters aren't super in-depth, but overall I'm always pleased to see another Tommy Greenwald come out because I know exactly who I can recommend it to.

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extremely talented high school football player and son of a retired NFL star. He watches his father’s health and mental well being deteriorate and begins to question his own involvement in the the sport he loves. You’ll have to read it to see how this game ends.

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Tommy Greenwald needs to keep writing sports fiction. There are so many kids in sports today who flat out don't like to read. They come into the library complaining about a book assignment and when I tell them I have a book they're going to love, they don't believe me. They always take it begrudgingly. When they return it, all they can say is, "You were right." There's never been a better time to be a sports fan when it comes to books. Between Mike Lupica, John Feinstien, and now Tommy Greenwald, these kids are covered.

Dinged is another book about the health hazards of football. It's a miracle if a guy makes it past his thirties with all his bones, muscles, joints, and brains, intact. Caleb Springer is a freshman football sensation. He's so good that he's earned the coveted first string quarterback position as a freshman. Pretty much unheard of. His dad a former NFL quarterback, couldn't be prouder. His girlfriend, however, isn't as enthusiastic. Everybody knows it's a rough sport. As the book progresses, Caleb and his mom begin to see a change in his dad. He's becoming more and more forgetful. Caleb must take a hard look at the potential harm to his body and decide if he should keep playing.

Love everything about the book except all the dating stuff. The characters are realistically more like juniors. Not that freshmen don't date, they just aren't this mature about it. No questionable content, but it still knocks it out of contention for my middle grade library (4-6 grades). Perfect for grades 7 and up.

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Another great story by author Tommy Greenwald. Fans of his book “Game Changer” will enjoy this newest book. His theme of football and football safety in regards to concussions is evident. This will appeal to any students are interested in sports fiction and specifically football. The father/son element was really genuine and you could feel the emotions within the family dealing with long-term effects of continual sports injuries.

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