The Rivalry

Gr 6—9—Teen sports reporters Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson are following the Army and Navy teams for two weeks prior to the football game that is to be attended by the president. Stevies's story focuses on pre-game security, and his research results in the young reporters becoming involved with secret security and the FBI in an investigation which ultimately reveals a complex cover-up and illegal activities. John Feinstein's story (Knopf, 2010) is marred by a slow start, a preponderance of detail, and name-dropping (journalist Bob Woodward, basketball coach Mike Krzyzzewski, etc.) that's not likely to impress listeners. The improbability of two young teens traveling around the country as reporters during the school year challenges credibility. The author reads in an uninspired, rushed monotone. The implications of the illegal activities uncovered at the climax of the story are far to subtle for middle schoolers.—Lisa Hubler, Memorial Junior High School, South Euclid, OH