Not every football story boasts an eye-catching jacket illustration by Kadir Nelson, but then not every football story has the names Tiki Barber (broadcaster and former NFL player) and Ronde Barber (current NFL player) on the cover. Following three picture books based on the Barber twins' childhood, this longer book was inspired by their experiences as they entered junior high. Comfortable going through elementary school together, Tiki and Ronde find themselves thrown off their stride when faced with changing classes, dealing with more-demanding teachers, and seeing each other only at lunch and at football practice. With some guidance from their mother and other mentors, they begin to make their way through the challenges of junior high. Football plays a key role in the story, and a glossary is appended for readers unfamiliar with the terminology, but academic concerns and a community action subplot are woven into this as well. An appealing choice for young football fans, particularly those hoping to make the team.

Twelve-year-old twins Tiki and Ronde Barber live with their single mother and play football as often as possible. Now they are starting junior high and ready to try out for the school team. Unfortunately, things aren't going as planned. Their mother has requested that they be in separate classes, and neither boy feels comfortable raising his hand, for fear of being mocked. Tough kids are present and need to be dealt with, and worst of all, while both make the football team, neither is first string. Each problem is addressed in turn: Through her participation in an environmental campaign, their mother proves that speaking out can be important; the tough kids calm down once football begins; and while the boys spend most of their time practicing and warming the bench, they both get to play in games and assert their individuality in the process. A straightforward, appealing read inspired by the experiences of the Barber twins, two real-life NFL superstars, this will be particularly popular with boys and sports fans. Includes a glossary of football terms. (Fiction. 8-12)

Gr 4-6-Readers who couldn't get enough of the Barber brothers in their picture books By My Brother's Side (2004) and Game Day (2005, both S & S) will appreciate this more in-depth look at the twins' lives. Kickoff! chronicles their first days of junior high and the beginning of football season as they tried to make their way as individuals and as teammates. There were tense moments in the hallways, locker room, and classroom as the boys were forced to expand their small circle of friends in a new, bigger school. Mom was there to make sure homework came first. Football enthusiasts will be able to visualize the plays and recognize how the value of team sports is portrayed throughout the book. The mention of Joe Theismann as a favorite Redskins quarterback and the reference to Tiki Barber running through the school hallway with his book bag tucked under his arm, pretending to be the great Walter Payton, place readers in the correct time frame. Though catalogued as biography, these books are filled with dialogue and read like fiction. There is no bibliography.-Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.