Penalty Kick
by Terence O’Leary
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date May 12 2014 | Archive Date Jun 10 2015
Swan Creek Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Members' Titles
Description
Author Bio:
Terence O’Leary was born in Chicago, Illinois, but has spent his teenage and adult life in Northwest Ohio where the varied seasons and sports provide the background for his three ‘sports as therapy’ young adult novels. A graduate of the University of Toledo with a degree in Journalism, English and Psychology, O’Leary’s critically acclaimed realistic coming-of-age stories focus on teenagers facing a family crisis.
Advance Praise
“The character of Brooke has a quality of serene compassion, without a trace of self-pity, and the same is true of O’Leary’s novel, a graceful, empathetic portrayal of young suffering
… A moving study of loss, appropriate for both young adults and older readers.”
-Kirkus Reviews
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9780975321638 |
| PRICE | $11.99 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Donna S, Reviewer
I am always in the market for more sports books. Certainly the title and cover art drew me to this title at NetGalley. Penalty Kick did not disappoint as a sports book and offered so much more.
Honestly, when it opened in an oncologist's office, I thought, "Not another cancer book..." Initially, I think, because I was expecting something different. Then I realized the surge in popularity of such books would make this a popular title. Anyhow, I kept reading and learned that Brooke was recovering from an intense fight with cancer. Her experiences allowed her to feel an overwhelming compassion for Josh who was fighting is own life and death battle. An amazing soccer player, he is driving on his learner's permit and is involved in a horrifying accident that takes his mom's life. He is nearly unable to go on. This is a beautiful story of friendship and recovery, of family, loss, and love. Through counseling, friendship, love, and soccer Josh fights his way back and challenging Brooke to grow along the way.
I'm pleased that this book will appeal to the guys and girls in my library. Both Brooke and Josh are full realized characters whose strengths and flaws will make them relatable. The book is realistic and intense without being overwhelming for students simply looking for a solid read. The love story develops slowly and in a lovely way, suitable for the younger readers in my 7-12 library. The sports scenes are action packed and suspenseful. I look forward to adding this to my collection soon.
Net Galley provided me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for this review.
Sarah M, Educator
Penalty Kick is a story about two young teens forced by the harsh realities of life into the adult world too quickly. One teen has faced a battle with cancer that has left her changed for life. The second teen has had to face the aftermath of a car accident that killed his mother while he was driving. Both of these people's world changed in an instant. This book is a wonderfully written, heartfelt story that shows us just how fragile life can be and how we must always live every moment to the fullest and make the most of the time we have with our loved ones. It also shows us how having someone special in our lives can help us to be resilient and bounce back from even the most horrifying of circumstances. While we never fully recover from some things that happen in our lives, we can carry those things with us and strive to make the most of what we have left.
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