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I finished reading Football Genius which is about a boy named Troy who can tell football plays before they even happen. Troy, the main character, plays football but the coach refuses to put Troy in even though he is an amazing quarterback.  Instead, the coach puts in his son Jamie who is horrible at playing QB. Jamie and Troy do not get along well in fact they are arch-enemies. Troy also has two of his best friends, Tate and Nathan, play for the football team too. I think Troy's character changes a lot over the book.

In the beginning of the book, Troy is a regular boy who plays football. Only a few people know about his gift to read plays like his mom, his two best friends, and his grandpa. Troy never really got the chance to show people how good he was, his father is no where to be found and he lives with his mom. Troy never really causes havoc and is really nice, but to me he lives a humdrum life. He is afraid of hurting his mom and that's why he doesn't do anything bad.  He feels sorry for her. His mom works for the Atlanta Falcons and Troy is sad that he doesn't have a dad.

I feel once someone offers him the chance to show everyone his gift, his number one thought is to show them. Good thing Troy lives next to professional football player Seth Halloway, who plays for the Falcons.  When Troy steals a ball from Seth's backyard for a lost bet that Troy and Jamie had everything changes. Troy's mom catches him stealing the ball and he returns the ball to Seth. Troy tells Seth of his gift. At first Seth doesn't believe Troy but when he see's what he can do he gives Troy a chance. Troy begins to rebel and become more desperate to show his skills. Then during the end of the story, Troy starts to look at Seth like a father and Seth becomes his step-dad.  Troy really needed someone to believe in him and support him so that he could share his talent.  It is important to have family believe in you.

I recommend this book to people who like sports books. Also people who like to root for the underdog will enjoy this book. All around I think this book is great.