Game Changer

Teddy Youngblood is in a coma fighting for his life after an accident at freshman preseason football camp.  As his family and friends show their support at his bedside a bit of a mystery begins to unfold.  Is this injury just a tragic result of playing a violent sport?  Sometimes these things happen.  Or was something more sinister at play?

The story is told through newspaper articles, text messages, online chat groups, therapist transcripts, and the dialogue at Teddy's bedside.  It soon becomes clear that something else is going on, something the football team doesn't want to come out.  But what is it?  And what does it have to do with Teddy, his best friend Alec, and some kid named Ethan?

The format of Tommy Greenwald's new book leaves the reader feeling like an eavesdropper which is perfect for this story of secrets and misinformation.  Greenwald also does a good job of balancing perspectives between those who think the game is too dangerous and those who love the sport.  Ultimately, Teddy's injury is due to something much more complicated than a simple football injury, so football, in general, is off the hook for this one.  Hand this to sports fans and reluctant readers who will enjoy making speedy progress through the story.