{"product_id":"backfield-boys-a-football-mystery-in-black-and-white-9781250180643","title":"Backfield Boys: A Football Mystery in Black and White","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"The best writer of sports books in America today\" (\u003ci\u003eThe Boston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e) tells a thrilling story of friendship, football, and a fight for justice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRenowned sports journalist and \u003ci\u003eNew York Times-\u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author John Feinstein's young adult novel \u003ci\u003eBackfield Boys \u003c\/i\u003efollows best friends and football stars Jason Roddin and Tom Jefferson, a perfect, though unconventional, pair: Jason, the Jewish kid, is lightning fast and a natural wide-receiver, while African-American Tom has an amazing arm and a quarterback's feel for the game. After summer football camp at an elite sports-focused boarding school, the boys are thrilled to enroll on scholarship for their freshman year--despite their mothers' fears of injury and especially CTE. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOn day one, they're stunned when the coaches make Tom a receiver and Jason a quarterback, a complete contradiction to their skill sets and training. Suspecting deep-seated racial bias, the boys speak out, risking both their scholarships and their chance to play. Soon local newspaper reports begin a secret investigation, and as tensions rise Jason and Tom must decide how much they're willing to lose in their quest to expose the ugly remnants of a racist past that still linger in contemporary jock culture. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eBackfield Boys\u003c\/i\u003e: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"An intriguing look at racism in contemporary sports and the power private schools have in shaping sports and upholding racist traditions.\" --\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A strong football hook will draw in most sports fans . . . The boys' driving quest for the truth will keep readers engaged.\" --School Library Journal \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Over the years, John Feinstein has built a career covering many aspects of athletics as a sportswriter, author, and media commentator. He has also written several sports novels for young adult audiences. In his most recent novel, Feinstein tackles racism in a way that is both thought-provoking and timely. . . . The end product is a fast-paced, reflective, well-written book that simultaneously entertains and challenges its readers.\" --\u003ci\u003eChildren's Literature\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn Feinstein\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of more than forty books, including two #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestsellers: \u003ci\u003eA Season on the Brink\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eA Good Walk Spoiled\u003c\/i\u003e. He is also the author of numerous sports-related mysteries and adventures for young readers, including \u003ci\u003eBackfield Boys\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Prodigy\u003c\/i\u003e. His first YA mystery, \u003ci\u003eLast Shot\u003c\/i\u003e, won the Edgar Allen Poe Award. John has also contributed to \u003ci\u003eThe Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSports Illustrated\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eGolf Digest\u003c\/i\u003e, Golf Channel, Sirius XM, CBS Sports Radio, Comcast SportsNet, UMBC Basketball, and The Navy Football Radio Network. \u003cb\u003efeinsteinbooks.com\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Square Fish","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50641695047954,"sku":"9781250180643","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_2d946ee9-6893-4b2d-a41b-c1fe07d9c524.jpg?v=1733030962","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/backfield-boys-a-football-mystery-in-black-and-white-9781250180643","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}