The Extra Yard

Gr 4–6—After successfully making the baseball team in The Only Game, Teddy tries out for the football team in the continuation of Mike Lupica's series about a group of young kids in a small town. Making the football team would make his dream come true. However, the sudden appearance of his father, after a long absence, puts Teddy off of his game. With the help of his friends, Teddy strives accomplish his goal. Lupica provides a brief synopsis of the events of the previous book (The Only Game) within the first few pages so readers will all be on the same page regardless of whether they have read the first book. Teddy was a supporting character in The Only Game and takes center stage here. Fans of Lupica's previous books will enjoy his trademark mix of family angst and engaging sports play which is on fine display here.