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Game Day by Tiki Barber — book cover

Game Day

by Tiki Barber, Ronde Barber, Barry Root
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Overview


Ronde and Tiki are a team. They are twins, they are each other's best friends and biggest fans, and they play on the same football team, the Cave Spring Vikings. Ronde is #21 and Tiki is #22, always side by side.

Tiki has had seven long touch-down runs this season, and Ronde is proud of his brother, but he can't help feeling a little down when Tiki gets all the glory. If Ronde hadn't been leading the way with his blocks, Tiki wouldn't have been clear to score. Ronde thinks nobody notices the guy who blocks; they only notice the guy who scores. Will the day ever come when Ronde will get his chance?

Written by two NFL superstars, this story of perseverance and teamwork will inspire. Barry Root's glowing illustrations bring to life all the excitement and energy of a great game and a team working together.

Synopsis


Ronde and Tiki are a team. They are twins, they are each other's best friends and biggest fans, and they play on the same football team, the Cave Spring Vikings. Rondeis #21 and Tiki is #22, always side by side.

Tiki has had seven long touch-down runs this season, and Ronde is proud of his brother, but he can't help feeling a little down when Tiki gets all the glory. If Ronde hadn't been leading the way with his blocks, Tiki wouldn't have been clear to score. Ronde thinks nobody notices the guy who blocks; they only notice the guy who scores. Will the day ever come when Ronde will get his chance?

Written by two NFL superstars, this story of perseverance and teamwork will inspire. Barry Root's glowing illustrations bring to life all the excitement and energy of a great game and a team working together.

Publishers Weekly

Just as football season kicks off, NFL stars and twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber return to the picture-book field with a tale of their formative days in Pee Wee Football League. In the follow-up to this creative team's By My Brother's Side, Ronde, deep down, knows he's a talented player. He repeatedly makes key blocks that enable his brother to break away and run with the ball. But Ronde is tired of being the unsung hero and watching Tiki, the leading scorer, get all the glory. When a mild injury sidelines Ronde for a game and Tiki's performance suffers, people take notice of Ronde's contributions. And in the very next game, a trick play wins the day-and gives Ronde his own glorious moment. The tone here is equal parts sunny reminiscence and inspirational game-day pep talk; the text sails along like a skillfully thrown spiral. Kids will quickly grasp the overt message of teamwork, and budding athletes will thrill to know that NFL players experience real childhood struggles, too. Root's slightly fuzzy, earth-toned watercolors capture the speed, action and colors of autumn Saturday afternoons as well as the subtler shadings of the boys' realistic emotions. Ages 6-10. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

About the Author, Tiki Barber


Tiki Barber is a record-holding retired running back for the New York Giants. Mr. Barber is currently a correspondent for NBC's Today show and an analyst for NBC's Football Night in America.

Ronde Barber is a cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 2003 Super Bowl champions. Mr. Barber is one of just two cornerbacks in the NFL selected to the Pro Bowl three times.

Robert Burleigh is the award-winning author of many books for children, including, Hoops, a SLJ Best Book of the Year and a Booklist Editor's Choice, Lookin' for Bird in the Big City which received the New York Society Library Award for the best children's book of the year, and Toulouse-Lautrec: The Moulin Rouge and the City of Light which was an ALA Notable Book. His many other books include Stealing Home, Clang! Clang! Beep! Beep! and By My Brother's Side, for which he was a contributing author. He lives in Michigan.

Barry Root is the illustrator of many books for children, including Gumbrella, which he also wrote; By My Brother's Side; and Game Day, which received a Christopher Award in the category of books for young people. He lives with his family in Quarryville, Pennsylvania.

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Editorials

From Barnes & Noble

NFL stars Tiki and Ronde Barber follow up their successful memoir, By My Brother's Side, with a winning book about gridiron greatness.

Publishers Weekly

Just as football season kicks off, NFL stars and twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber return to the picture-book field with a tale of their formative days in Pee Wee Football League. In the follow-up to this creative team's By My Brother's Side, Ronde, deep down, knows he's a talented player. He repeatedly makes key blocks that enable his brother to break away and run with the ball. But Ronde is tired of being the unsung hero and watching Tiki, the leading scorer, get all the glory. When a mild injury sidelines Ronde for a game and Tiki's performance suffers, people take notice of Ronde's contributions. And in the very next game, a trick play wins the day-and gives Ronde his own glorious moment. The tone here is equal parts sunny reminiscence and inspirational game-day pep talk; the text sails along like a skillfully thrown spiral. Kids will quickly grasp the overt message of teamwork, and budding athletes will thrill to know that NFL players experience real childhood struggles, too. Root's slightly fuzzy, earth-toned watercolors capture the speed, action and colors of autumn Saturday afternoons as well as the subtler shadings of the boys' realistic emotions. Ages 6-10. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

Clear and evocative text about twin brothers working as a team—and working through issues of whose contribution is noticed as they win football games—makes these two NFL superstars come to life for young readers. Ronde, the blocker, watches as Tiki makes touchdown after touchdown and wins the kudos of the crowds and the respect and interest of sports reporters. Mother, coach, and friends all contribute to the life lessons: do your best with what you have got, it is a good thing to work together, and to win a game takes a whole team. Action-packed illustrations by Barry Root clarify game plays for those not fans of football and also capture the feelings—from excitement to wistfulness—of the twins. 2005, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 7 to 10.
—Elisabeth Greenberg

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-The Barber twins, both NFL superstars, teamed up with Burleigh to write an engaging memoir that touches on themes of cooperation and individual differences. When the brothers played football in their hometown Pee Wee league, a local reporter interviewed them and seemed to focus his attention on Tiki, the touchdown hero. Ronde knew his brother could not score without his own strong defense clearing the way, but no one seemed to notice his skill. Feeling jealous and unappreciated, Ronde finally gained perspective on his contributions when he was sidelined with a minor injury. However, it was Tiki who showed him the meaning of teamwork. Root's rich illustrations, done in watercolor and gouache, realistically portray the action. This book is sure to be of interest to young athletes, but the lessons of self-acceptance and working together to contribute to the success of the group are universally valuable. Use this title to spark discussions of personal strengths and abilities.-Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Kids who have played any sport in a vital but unsung capacity will identify with this second outing from the Barbers, twin professional football players. Ronde is a blocking back for the Cave Spring Vikings, and his brother Tiki is the ball carrier. Tiki garners much admiration for snapping off long touchdown runs, not leastwise the result of his brother's crack downfield blocking. Guess who gets the kudos? In no way is Ronde embittered, though he sure would like some recognition for his contribution. As he talks with his teammates, his coach and his mother, he realizes that his hard work has not gone unnoticed and that everyone has a role to play to insure the team's success. The Barbers' cool voice and warmth of camaraderie are giveaways that Ronde will get a shot at the limelight, but the message scores its own goal: Everyone has a critical part to play on a team and everyone can revel in the accomplishments. Lots of great football talk and Root's rich colors of amber, green and deep blue bring the field to life. (Picture book. 6-10)

Book Details

Published
August 1, 2005
Publisher
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages
32
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9781416900931

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