Synopsis
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.
Children's Literature
In this sequel to Teammates and Go Long!, "inspired by the childhood" of the twin NFL stars, their eighth-grade football team is looking forward to a great season. Then an unexpected challenge arises: report cards come out and Adam Coster, the Hidden Valley Eagle's game-winning kicker, is benched because he has failed two tests. Everyone worries that with Adam on the sidelines, the team will not make the play-offs. Tiki reluctantly steps in as kicker, and he and Ronde tutor Adam to help him improve his grades in time to play in the big game. Like Rich Wallace's Two-Minute Drill, this tale of teammates helping each other both on and off the football field offers lessons in friendship and diligence. There is lots of football action to help the messages go down smoothly, and the banter between the twins will appeal to young readers, as will the lively cover. A good choice for reluctant readers as well as football fans. An appendix provides an illustrated guide to football signals. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick