A decent concept with an execution that left a little to be desired. Hazard is not a charming character. The character arc is obvious within a dozen pages. I feel, too like it over-simplifies anger and aggression in young teens. It serves a purpose and will connect with some kids but did not work for me.

Beautiful novel in verse that deals with anger. So many of our students will read and connect with this story.

I really enjoyed Hazard. It was a quick read but I loved that the format was different than a lot of other titles. The whole book is written via text messages, emails and workbook assignments. It seemed to give an extra depth to the character and was an interesting way to keeping you interested in what would happen next. I wasn't sure how the author could add a lot of depth in this format but Dowell did an amazing job. I felt like I learned not only about the main character but also a lot about his family and even some of his friends. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting, quick read.

I stumbled upon the genre of novels written in verse a few years ago, and it has become one of my favorites. This author is no exception. She manages to get such feeling and character development into a relatively short book..

I first met Frances O'Roark Dowell’s writing with Dovey Coe, (recommended to me by an eighth grader) which I loved, so an offering of an ARC of her newest work by Net Galley was an automatic answer. Hazard, her latest offering is very different but equally outstanding.
Hazard Stokes, named for the town where he was born in Kentucky, has been kicked off the football team for unsportsmanlike conduct. He tells his story primarily through his own emails to his therapist – with attachments as needed – interspersed with a few text messages to other people. This method builds a closeness and empathy to Hazard as the reader has a feeling of reading his personal mail.

Protesting his ousting from the team and insisting that he doesn’t really need any therapy only assures the reader that both were necessary. Hazard is a military kid whose father has returned from Afghanistan with an injury that will ultimately mean a prosthetic leg. His mother has left him with Granny so she can be with his father in the hospital.

Hazard is the best defensive back in Cumberland County. Just ask him, and he’ll tell you. He will also tell you that it is not his practice to play dirty. So why did he make a bad hit and lose the chance to play ball? And why does his dad refuse to let him come visit in the hospital? What are both of them dealing with beyond the happenings in their lives that has brought change to their personalities?

This book takes the reader into the reality of being a military kid with a parent who is dealing with PTSD and all its ramifications. In spite of its sharp look at the reality, the book is laced with subtle humor and compassion. It will be a mirror to the military kids and a window to the other middle schoolers for whom it was written. As usual, I will also recommend that if you have aged past middle school, don’t let that stop you from a really good read.

I am looking forward to seeing a print copy of Hazard. I find, from time to time, that novels in alternative formats don't always translate as well to digital media. This story is told through emails and texts and is considered a novel-in-verse. After making a dirty play (he doesn't see it that way) on the football field, Hazard must complete therapy sessions to return to the game. He is reluctant at first, but, as expected, he warms to his therapist and to the questions he's asked to answer.

Hazard's family has been through a lot. Both of his parents are in the military and his father came back injured from a recent deployment. As a result of his fear and uncertainty Hazard's anger has grown in ways he struggles to manage. The best part of this novel was the way Hazard describes the feelings that overwhelm him from time to time - I think teenage boys, especially, will find this relatable.

While the topics addressed are heavy, they are presented in a way that is totally appropriate for middle school readers and I know I have students who will love this novel.

A very moving novel in verse about a young teen boy named Hazard, who has been kicked off of his football team due to his anger issues. In order to play again, he is required to work with a therapist. Told in a series of emails, texts, and recorded conversations, we see Hazard's journey from denial to the processing of the effects on him and his family of PTSD from events on his military father's recent tour of duty in Afghanistan. Emotional, thought provoking, and satisfying, I will definitely recommend this to my young patrons.

Hazard by Frances O'Roark Dowell follows a kid who loves football but after a mistake, is forced to take anger management. Through emails with this therapists, he works through his family issues and his mental health on and off the field.

This is such a powerful read in a very creative and different format. I don't think I have ever read a book like it. This would be a very important book for my students to read and I will for sure be getting a physical copy to put in my classroom library. Students need a book like this, especially my male students who don't love to read.

Hazard, by Frances O'Roark Dowell, is a great book for middle school teachers to consider having on their classroom shelf. It is the story of an 8th grader whose father serves in the military and is a recent amputee. In addition to all the issues that every middle schooler has to deal with, he has the issues that come with being the son of a military soldier and all that that entails. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Y'all, Hazard was such a powerful and emotional read. The book is about a kid named Hazard. Hazard has been kicked off his football team for aggression and mandated to attend therapy. He's resistant to this, but then he starts to explore his emotions through assignments from his therapists. Told through emails, text messages and reflective exercises, Hazard starts to share more and more about his family and himself. Hazard's father was injured by an IED while deployed overseas and has lost a leg, and it turns out this has had quite an impact on Hazard. The storytelling devices in this one were so masterful to show how this life-changing experience influenced Hazard's behavior and emotions. This was such an honest look into one kid trying to navigating his family's circumstances and better understand himself. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this recent release!

"Hazard" is a story of a young man named Hazard told through the emails between himself and his school therapist after an accident at a football game. This book is told in a unique way. I enjoyed how everything wasn't all in verse. It broke things up nicely. I don't think I've ever read a book like this before, about how the military and deployment affect the children left behind. This would be a very powerful book for children with parents in the military.

This is a fantastic novel in verse. Add this to all collections serving middle school readers. Hazard is working through issues that many readers will relate to. Finding the source of that inner rage and discovering a way to manage and cope are important life skills. Excellent read!

Hazard has some issues. One is he can't play football. Another is his dad is in the hospital after returning from Afghanistan. To deal with these issues, Hazard must go see a therapist.
Opinion
This book is written in a truly unique way. The book is told through emails from Hazard to his therapist. Some of the emails are his homework, some are responses to questions. Through these emails, the story unfolds.
I know this book will call to a lot of children. The chapters are short and easy to read but the story is captivating, making you want to read more.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Hazard's dad was a soldier who was recently injured quite severely. As Haz works to process this, he and his brother are staying with their grandma while their mom is staying close to the hospital to support their dad. When Haz puts a dirty hit on a football teammate he is forced to attend therapy sessions and receive the doctor's stamp of approval before he's allowed to play again.

I really appreciate that this book focuses on a teen boy struggling with anger and mental health. Many teen boys are facing similar struggles. The entire story is told in emails between Hazard and his counselor with a few emails from his parents added in. In this day and age, it's incredibly important to continue having conversations about mental health, especially with young men. As we work to deconstruct the toxic masculinity that so often infiltrates our society, this book is a step in the right direction.

A novel in verse about understanding and overcoming a rage deep inside of you. One that causes you to hurt people and Understanding why you have this rage. Haz’s story is told through text messages, free verse emails to his therapist and transcripts of interviews between him, his mom and his Granny. The author definitely gets across Haz’s confusion and anger stemming from his dad’s injury and own anger. This read at a higher level than MS.

This is a fantastic book! I loved the format and think that will be extremely interesting for students to read. This story explores the life of a teenage boy through his text messages, emails and letters he writes for his therapy. He is dealing with a father who lost his leg in war and is struggling to recover and his anger then causes him to get kicked off of his school football team because he hurts another player. It explores the value of mental health, the cost of serving in the military for children, and many more complex issues. I can't wait to share this book with my students.

Hazard by Frances O’Roark Dowell

Hazard Stokes is a well known football player in his local county. When he makes a bad hit during the first game of the season, he gets thrown off the field and into therapy. Therapy standing in his way of getting back onto the field.

Hazard denies that he has any anger issues or on going issues at home but there is a small problem…his dad is at Walter Reed Medical Center getting fitted for a prosthetic leg, one that he lost from an IED blast in Afghanistan, and refuses to let Hazard or his brother come visit.

Over the course of the book, Hazard slowly comes to understand “how the body keeps score when bad things happen to the people you love, and how the anger and confusion one can fell can turn into violence.”

First off, Thank you to #netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own.

This book was short but amazing. I felt emotion for the characters and it really put into perspective what young children struggle to go through when a parent comes home injured from war. I think this book will make a relatable resource for children in todays world, and would make a great addition to any local library or school library. I love that it is written in verse which made it a quick read and easy to pick up and set down when needed.

My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️💫 /5
Goodreads Average Rating: 4.04/5

* 160 Pages
* Publication Date: May 10, 2022
* Fiction/Middle Grade
* Emotional/Reflective
* Medium Paced Read
* Written in Verse

**Some of these triggers may contain spoilers**

⚠️ Triggers/Warnings ⚠️

* War
* Injury
* Suicide
* Grief
* Violence

I received an electronic ARC from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
Hazard's dad was injured in Afghanistan and the family is coping with the aftermath of him losing a leg. The story focuses on Hazard and is told via texts and emails. Hazard is one of the best Safeties in his county and he either makes a mistake or a dirty hit early in the season. His coach, who doesn't get enough credit, pulls him and insists he get counseling. Kudos to a coach that astute. Hazard is resistant but does the work to get back to his team. Readers see the entire story unfold through emails Hazard sends his counselor, Mr. Barth, that include his thoughts written in verse and his answers to questions and workbook pages designed to make Hazard think and look at his emotions, actions, etc.
Though the resolution is a bit abrupt, O'Roark Dowell pulls readers in to see the world through this young man's eyes. Few book look at the aftermath of war injuries from the child's perspective and this fills that gap. It's told in a style middle school, and perhaps older, readers will relate with. Even reluctant readers will look at this shorter book.

Hazard is an eighth grader who loves football. His dad is a recent amputee due to an IED exploding under his truck while serving in Iraq. He is hospitalized far from home. Hazard’s mom spends most of her time at the hospital with Dad. Hazard is in therapy due to a bad hit he inflicted during a football game. Told in text messages, emails, and email attachments using free verse poetry, Hazard has a distinct voice as he attempts to take the necessary steps to rejoin his team. At first, he’s flippant. Then, he delves deeper. Hazard’s journey is an important one for middle school students to travel with him. I would recommend this for upper middle grade - 6-8, and even high school.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

WOWOWOW

Hazard by Frances O’Roark Dowell is a great read.
The book is about Hazard Stokes, a kid who loves football. He plays football for his school and is proud of the job he does on the field. Until one day, he plays too hard and takes down a kid with a wrong move. Now Hazard has to go into Anger Management with a therapist. NOT that Hazard believes he needs it.

The book is written with Hazard’s emails and writing assignments. Occasionally there is an email or note from his mom or dad. The majority of the book are words from Hazard that really highlight the situation he and his family are dealing with. His dad came home from Afghanistan minus a leg and with a “moral injury.” Hazard has a lot to figure out including his path forward.

The book is a serious WOW and I will be sharing this cool book with other teachers and parents. Hazard by Frances O’Roark Dowell is a great read!