{"product_id":"payback-time-isbn-9780547577333","title":"Payback Time","description":"Through the eyes of an inspiring young journalist—an overweight high school reporter named Mitch—veteran sports novelist Deuker reveals the surprising truth behind a mysterious football player named Angel. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e When Angel shows up Lincoln High, he seems to have no past—or at least not one he is willing to discuss. Though Mitch gets a glimpse of Angel’s incredible talent off the field, Angel rarely allows himself to shine on the field. Is he an undercover cop? wonders Mitch. Or an ineligible player? In pursuit of a killer story, Mitch decides to find out just who this player is and what he’s done. In the end, the truth surprises everyone. | \u003cp\u003e\"The game action alone is riveting even for readers who don’t know a naked bootleg from a hook-and-ladder play, but Deuker enriches the tale with several welltuned subplots and a memorable narrator\/protagonist who turns a corner on his own self-image while weathering brutal tests of his courage and determination. Definitely one for the top shelf.\"—\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBooklist\u003c\/em\u003e, starred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\"Told in the first person, the story is initially funny, but the humor is soon eclipsed by the suspenseful plot and the copious play-by-play football action. These elements work together to create a rousing climax, which is then followed by a softer and more reflective denouement. Nicely played. \"—\u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews \u003c\/em\u003e \"Deuker has crafted another entertaining and readable football story. The game descriptions are well done and will appeal to players and fans. Many teens who dreamed of being a star as children but don't make the team in high school will identify with Mitch.\" —\u003cem\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \"A strong football story with nail-biting action and intrigue and a strong, appealing protagonist.\"—\u003cem\u003eVOYA \u003c\/em\u003e \"It's a solid Cooneyesque mystery\/thriller, though, with enough straight-up gridiron action to draw a crowd, and it won't take much booktalking to sell middle-schoolers on this title.\"—The Bulletin  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGym Candy\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eAn IRA 2009 Young Adult ChoiceTexas Lone Star 2009 list\u003cbr\u003e \"Riveting\" —\u003cem\u003eThe Bulletin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\"An eye-opening recommendation to all budding athletes.\" —\u003cem\u003eVOYA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A superb sports novel with no easy resolutions.\"  —\u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRunner\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA Booklist Top Ten Sports Book\u003cbr\u003eA VOYA  Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers\u003cbr\u003eNominated as YA book of the Year in Texas \"Deuker fans won't be disappointed.\"—\u003cem\u003eThe Bulletin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Suspenseful and involving. . . . Chance's dilemmas will quickly draw in readers and keep them turning the pages.\" —\u003cem\u003eKliatt\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\"Sinister goings-on, a murder, last minute heroism, and a new life rich with possibility make this a satisfying read.\" —\u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHigh Heat\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA Booksense 76 Pick\u003cbr\u003eA Booklist Top 10 Youth Sports BookWinner of the Golden Sower Award \"High Heat joins the Deuker canon with yet another fine study of a conflicted soul whose ethical salvation is determined in a sporting arena.\" —\u003cem\u003eThe Bulletin\u003c\/em\u003e \"Good baseball books are in short supply for teens; do not let this one slip past.\" —\u003cem\u003eVOYA\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNight Hoops\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn ALA Best Book (star)  \"An excellent novel.\" —\u003cem\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/em\u003e \"Deuker adds further luster to his reputation for top-flight sports writing matched to uncommonly perceptive coming-of-age stories.\" —\u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeart of a Champion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYA book of the Year in Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Tennessee.  Paperback edition available from Little, Brown.Painting the Black\u003cbr\u003eA Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Winner\u003cbr\u003eAn ALA Best Book\u003cbr\u003e(star)  \"It ain't pretty, but it's real.\" —\u003cem\u003eThe\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eBulletin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The well-written sports scenes will draw readers, but it is Ryan's moral courage that will linger when the reading is done.\" —\u003cem\u003eBooklist\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Clarion Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44890150961381,"sku":"NP9780547577333","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780547577333.jpg?v=1730232639","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/payback-time-isbn-9780547577333","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}