QB 1 Hardcover – September 17, 2013

QB1 is a high school football sports book written by NY sports columnist and author Mike Lupica. The book is well written and most likely aimed at the teenage demographic as this book’s reading level and content fits there. In fact, QB1 was one of a number of school-supported summer reading books from which our twelve year old could choose. Having also read the book (so my son and I could discuss it) and without spoiling anything, I can describe the book as follows: Jake is a freshman in a Texas high school who feels the pressures to succeed as a quarterback. Jake feels added pressure to perform as his father and older brother have all left their mark as successful quarterbacks and as such are revered in their small Texas hometown. The story progresses mainly as Jake navigates his freshman year and deals with the stresses, politics, and teenage insecurities which both he and the ancillary teammate characters feel. The book also gets into the way life's pressures can affect kids on and off the field. The message is poignant and the storytelling is wholesome. The story, however, is very formulaic from a sports point of view but the personalities of the characters, and what makes them tick, was interesting and speaks well to a middle school or high school kid. Both me and my twelve year old enjoyed the read.

I’m not a “sports person” but some of my upper elementary students are obsessed with football. They nominated this book for book club and it was voted in, so I read it. There’s a surprisingly good story here about family, friendship, and sportsmanship. I had to Google some of the football terms that I couldn’t get from context clues, which the kids thought was hilarious, but it helped me model how to handle unfamiliar terms in a novel. Next time they nominate a book by this author, it might get my vote…

I got this book for my 5th grade son and he loved it. He read the whole book in 2 days that’s saying a lot for him. I also read it and was great story telling. VERY RECOMMENDED!!!

I love sports books. I like the drama and the personal challenges. Nevertheless, I love this book; there are some weaknesses: the plot is easy and predictable (on the verge of being unbelieveable). The main character is too good to be true. The happy end is toomuch to bear.The pros are: easy to read, it is a book about baseball, family values, Texas, first love and boys becoming men. Mike Lupica loves high scholl football. Therefore, the book is exiting to read (even as an European, who is not very familiar with the sport).

High School Football on Friday nights is America for a large segment of the population, and QB1 possesses all the ingredients that make it a great read. Designed and intended for young male teenage readers this almost 69-year old thoroughly enjoyed the great storyline that included-- sibling rivalry, parental favoritism, budding romance and the developing talent of a young quarterback.Early on while reading this book I found myself beginning to root for this young athlete, sympathize with his setbacks, become encourage by his minor successes, and finally greatly satisfied when everything came together for a rousing finish in the final game of the season.I highly recommend this book to teenagers of all ages!!!!

This is a good book for young readers.

The TODAY SHOW recommended this book. I like and understand football so decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did. Yes, there is a lot of football. It helps to know the difference between offense, defense, center, tight end and wide receiver. There are many references to Peyton and Eli Manning but there is also a family story behind the football. If you have watched Friday Night Lights, you understand the Texas high school mentality -obsessed. If you are in a family with more than one child, you understand the childhood dilemma of who the favorite child is. a good easy read.

I love the book. Football is one of my favorite sports. This really opened me up to what Texas football is like. Some sports authors don't know what the game is like but Mike Lupica does. Great book