Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Bobby Framingham is one of the top high-school quarterback prospects in California. He's troubled, though, by his growing realization that he is gay not easy in the homophobic world of school sports. He confides in his coach, a teacher, and a few friends before he is outed by an unscrupulous reporter for the school newspaper. This sets off a firestorm of national media attention, which Bobby faces bravely. At the same time, he also comes to terms with his father's cancer, and he meets a young man, whom he starts to date. At the end, Bobby finds acceptance at home, at school, and with his friends. Most of the elements in this story, told in Bobby's authentic first-person voice, ring true, from Bobby's initial struggle with his sexual identity to the sometimes hostile reaction of his teammates. Bobby's father's illness adds an unnecessary element of melodrama, but this is a minor quibble with a thoughtful, powerful novel.--Morning, Todd Copyright 2008 Booklist

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In this unusual hybrid that juxtaposes hard-hitting, play-by-play football action with scenes of psychological soul-searching, a gay high-school football player is publicly shoved out of the closet and then has to cope with the aftermath. Bobby Framingham, a talented quarterback who loves football and hopes to play both in college and then professionally, has come to the understanding that he's gay, a realization he knows will have consequences both personally and in his favorite arena—the hyper-masculine world of team sports. Bobby, whom Konigsberg depicts as a regular guy who just happens to be attracted to other guys, suddenly has to cope with the varied reactions of his teammates, friends and family. Although he has no desire to be the public face of gayness in high-school sports, once in the limelight, Bobby feels that he can't retreat. The story concludes realistically, leaving the final consequences of his actions unclear. What is clear however, and what readers should take away, is that despite the price, there are great rewards to being who you are. (Fiction. 14 & up) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 9 Up-Senior quarterback Bobby Framingham is gay and tired of keeping it a secret. He confides in a close friend who promises not to tell, and then does. Suddenly Bobby is in the spotlight, and raw emotions come into play. His best girl friend is hurt and disgusted. His coach insists that he's not really gay. His teammates' reactions range from supportive to freaked out to furious. In the meantime, his father undergoes treatment for cancer, and the football team comes together to prepare for a championship game. The sports-action sequences are well drawn and engaging, and the bond among teammates is strong. Character interactions are believable and often surprising, and Bobby is a likable narrator. A few repetitive scenes are a small price to pay for a thought-provoking, funny, and ultimately uplifting story of self-actualization that masterfully defies stereotypes about both coming out and team sports.-Megan Honig, New York Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.