I am actively lobbying against this book. Why? Because of the overt political agenda. Does it address racism? Yes - that's great. Does it have a diverse cast of characters? Yes - that's great, too. Does it blend fictional characters with real characters? Yes, and that's where it loses me. The look at how subtly racism can pass in a school is an important issue, but if the school is fictional, the racist headmaster is fictional, and the coaches are fictional, WHY would an author use an actual president and then put fictional, racist words in his mouth? It was a not so covert dig at the current administration--and for good or ill, I am not a fan of assigning words to living people in fictional settings.

Backfield Boys is a wonderful read for that young person who really enjoys the true meaning of friendship. Where one person is willing to go to support their strong inner beliefs. This is a story that has been written many times in many different ways but a true page turner nonetheless. The dynamic between these friends is truly inspiring. Friendship can overcome racism can't it?

As always, Feinstein delivers a solid mystery layered with sports lingo to keep the jocks hooked, This story offered some extra social drama and cultural issues to make the reader stop, think and reflect. He’s one of my “go to” authors for my middle school students and this book illustrates why.

I really enjoyed this book and could have read it all in one sitting if I had the time. I found myself rooting for Jason and Tom not only for the opportunity to play football but for justice. I have read several of John Feinstein books and have enjoyed the audio versions with my family, unfortunately, I did not find the ending of the book very satisfying and felt left hanging wanting to know what happens next. I also was disappointed in the political commentary that was interjected in the book but recognize what a great country we live in that an author feels free to add that to their book. I will be purchasing this book for our library and already have some students in mind to recommend they read the title. Thank you!

This review was for a freely given ARC review via netgalley. This was an interesting story. It follows Tom, an African American boy and his best friend Jason who is white as they get an up-close and personal look at racism in the 21st century. To sum up their meeting and dynamic, they met when they were in elementary school both having a live of sports, but both excelling at football. Jason was a good receiver, and Tom a good quarterback. The interesting bit of their dynamic is that the author sets up the premise of reverse stereotyped roles in football. I'm not sure if this is an unspoken rule in American football, or if it's just a correlation of something noticed over the years in both American and football history. Regardless this is a very interesting story set up.

Football is practically Americas unofficial religion. It has its roots deep in white male culture historically so they, meaning football and its overall institution are very averse to change. It plays on a lot of racial stereotypes that people want to pretend don't exist. So we have two best friends of different backgrounds with arguably the wrong skill set for their race. But regardless, they make a good QB-receiver combo that could change football history. When they get to high school as freshman after a having attended youth football camp run by the same school, they've been given each other's intended positions and when they try to correct or even pass an inquiry about it they slowly realize that there's something up with the coaches and the school, which a heavily ingrained yet unspoken rule of the social acceptance of discreet racism and discrimination from its staff and students.

I was really surprised at the intense subject of this because it takes a still very relevant subject, racism, and puts it in an equally relevant and controversial sport- American football. I say it's controversial because as I mentioned, football is a stereotypical male sport and its rooted and date need back to the time of racism, segregation and discrimination. It delivered this subject in a very real and relatable way.

What got me the most, negatively about this story was the fact that the characters were 14. I felt like the way the different characters in the story, spoke was not age appropriate, same for when they begin their research on the coach. However, I also understand that for them to truly understand racism directly in the way they did it had to be in a situation where they were coming into an already established institution which they did. It would probably have been better if they were college freshman and not high school freshman. I also didn't like that we didn't get to see the emotional toll on the two 14 year old boys, because they are just that boys. Sure we see a lot of the anger in different ways, but I would have also liked to see if it affected Jason and Tom's relationship to each other, which I think it should have to some extent. Still, I applaud the author for taking an interesting topic and dropping it into a context relevant. I also understood why they used high school students instead.

So overall, I liked the story a lot. 3.5 stars.

Once again John Feinstein produces another hit. I love that this book hits on racism and promotes equality. Action packed with solid characters, Feinstein paves the way for young people to stand up for what is right in this stunning book.

I received an ARC of "Backfield Boys" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't impressed with this story. I felt there were far too manny tropes trotted out and too much emphasis on the political climate. While it's important to bring relevant issues--particularly in the world of sports--to the minds of today's youth, much of this felt like a lazy rehash.

While I could easily figure out where this was going, I didn't feel like the book challenged the reader enough. There were far too many instances where the black characters took the role of passivity, while the white characters stepped up to make change happen.

Their is, whether intended or not, an undercurrent of someone (yet again) being the white savior. I didn't much care for that and, if I allowed either of my two preteen children to read this book, I'd immediately point out that tendency.

In life, there will be a myriad of challenges and, while some are still holding to ignorance, it is our responsibility to do better.

Is this a book that will at the very least bring forth conversation? Yes. If that alone was the author's goal, then he accomplished that much.

Feinstein's book, The Backfield Boys, mirrors the current racial distress in the U.S. Set at a private prep school in the South known for excellence in sports, the book tells the story of four football players and their struggle to experience fair play on and off the field. Also a story of friendship, the boys have to make difficult choices that will have wide ranging impact on their lives and the lives of many others.

I requested BACKFIELD BOYS by John Feinstein because I have purchased and recommended his work across a number of genres. This title was a disappointment and I did not finish it. It felt like an awkward attempt to address racial prejudice in a private school not far from Charlottesville. With characters named Billy Bob and Tom Jefferson, BACKFIELD BOYS seemed to overly rely on stereotypes in an attempt to make important points. I also had issues with Feinstein's treatment of two Moms who had concerns about football injuries; did he really think they would let their sons play, then agree to send them out of state and then not stay in touch via the cell phones that the boys had? I would suggest Paul Volponi's titles, especially Black and White, instead.

I was kind of nervous about this one.  I thought it could go either way quite easily with its description.  I even kind of rolled my eyes after reading the prologue.  But man was I pleasantly surprised by this book.

As a quick aside, it doesn't come up very much here but I am a huge football (particularly college) fan.  When I hit August, I start hankering for football really badly.  I read previews for the season, I watch documentaries about past teams, and I'll often watch old games just because I need to try to stave off the craving for it.

This book hit the spot.  It actually got to the point where it was talking about coaches and IMG Academy and other football things that made me wonder if it was a little too inside baseball for the average reader (upon further consideration I actually think that the author did a great job explaining things like IMG Academy so it would be accessible).  The actual knowledge of college football really helped me speed through it and hooked me.

All of this is kind of burying the lead though, since more than anything else this is a book about discrimination.  What I think this book does incredibly well is set up a situation that seems completely realistic to me in modern day America.  Tom is an African American who is an amazing quarterback and his best friend Jason is a Jewish wide receiver.  Their positions are switched when they arrive at their new boarding school, which confuses them quite a bit.  Along the way, they and their roommates uncover the discrimination (subtle and otherwise) at the school.

I think two of the things the book does really well is provide a variety of characters from different backgrounds.  It would have been very easy to write a book where all the southerners were racist or all the Christians were super judgmental (more on that later), but the book did not do this.  The other thing I think it did really well was nail the standards the media needs to meet when doing investigative journalism.  A lot of times throughout the book, there are instances where the boys think they have enough evidence to prove their case and two reporters they work with show how what they have come up with is just circumstantial.  I think this is really important since a lot of scandals (in sports or otherwise) are grey areas because there is no way to fully prove the situation one way or the other, and this consideration is something that I thought was well done.

The last thing that I really appreciated about this was how faith is woven into sports (particularly football).  I watch Last Chance U on Netflix as another way to try to get myself to football season and something that really struck me was how much Christianity is used by coaches.  It honestly kind of creeped me out because of how the school also bills itself as the way to turn around students with a difficult past, and it feels almost forced upon students.  This was the same way in the book and was a point of contention for both main characters, but particularly Jason since he was Jewish.  I think that this was something that is probably not thought about as much when it comes to discrimination in football (or at least I know I haven't thought about it as much as I should have).

I think this book is a great read and should definitely be checked out.  My one concern is that a lot of references are very contemporary and I'm not sure how well they will age, however, even with that, I think the story itself will endure.

For a more in-depth review watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3BUKlV41pc&feature=youtu.be

I received an eARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jason and Tom are best friends and teammates and together they get recruited to n elite private school to play football. But when they arrive at school Jason, a wide receiver, and Tom, a quarterback, find their positions changed and themselves separated. As the two begin to settle into their new roles they uncover a culture of racism.

This was the perfect book for young teen make readers. The characters feel real and the story of racism mixed with the concern of CTE were very timely. It will definitely appeal to sports fans and reluctant readers.

It's a great sports fiction story, and it's perfect for middle schoolers. I won't be purchasing it since I am a high school Media Specialist, but I still enjoyed reading it and will recommend it to our middle school librarian!

Fueled by on-the-field action, Backfield Boys delivers a fast-paced story that triangulates sports, mystery and racial injustice in a perfect voice for Middle School readers. Tom and Jason, best friends, have grown up in NYC as an unstoppable duo of Quarterback and Wide-Receiver. Both receive scholarships to play at a prestigious boarding school in Virginia. Upon arrival, neither is assigned to the position for which he was recruited, and both boys are "stonewalled" when they raise questions. Signs and symptoms of racism rise to the surface with each passing day, and when professional reporters get involved, a covert operation ensues. Backfield Boys is a story of courage, perseverance and friendship. While it will raise teen awareness of social injustice, it also relies upon stereotypes to unfold its own story. Middle grade readers may find it tough to view Virginia or other southern states in an objective light after enveloping themselves in this undeniably realistic work of fiction. ARC copy via Netgalley ~ Lisa Brennan, Middle School Librarian @noveltalk