Redbery Books

Description

When Marcus moves to a new town in the dead of summer, he doesn't know a soul. While practicing football for impending tryouts, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with an older man. Charlie is a charismatic prankster—and the best football player Marcus has ever seen. He can't believe his good luck when he finds out that Charlie is actually Charlie Popovich, or "the King of Pop," as he had been nicknamed during his career as an NFL linebacker. But that's not all. There is a secret about Charlie that his family is desperate to hide.

When Marcus begins school, he meets the starting quarterback on the team: Troy Popovich. Right from the beginning, Marcus and Troy disagree—about football, about Troy's ex-girlfriend, Alyssa, but most of all about what's good for Charlie. Marcus is betting that he knows what's best for the King of Pop. And he is willing to risk everything to help his friend.

About the Author

Gordon Korman has written more than fifty middle-grade and teen novels. Favorites include the New York Times #1 bestseller The 39 Clues: One False Note, The Juvie Three, Son of the Mob, Born to Rock, and Schooled. Though he didn't play football in high school, Gordon's been a lifelong fan and season ticket holder. He says, "I've always been fascinated by the ‘culture of collision' in football and wanted to explore it—not just from the highlight films but from its darker side as well."

Gordon lives with his family on Long Island, New York.

Praise for Pop…

“Thought-provoking.”
-Publishers Weekly

“Korman goes straight to the heart.”
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Fantastic…Perfectly captures the football experience.”
-Newsday

“Funny, poignant and full of football action, POP hits you hard and doesn’t let up.”
-Tim Green, author of the New York Times bestselling Football Genius and Football Champ

“A brisk, heartfelt and timely novel.”
-New York Times Book Review