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 Review by
Louella Moreland
Football may not be a girl's favorite sport, but some, like Cassie, seem
to be born to it! Her father and his best friend, Uncle Beef, played
football in high school and college. Cassie herself played in the Pee Wee
league when she was younger. Now, when Coach Harris (Uncle Beef) wants
Cassie and her friend to try out for the junior high team, her dad does not
approve. It seems to Cassie that her dad must have his new wife agree with
everything before he makes a decision.
Elizabeth Levy brings to life an unusual protagonist. Cassie seems to be
quite confident and has a high self-esteem for a girl her age. She deals
fairly well with the new stepmother, divorce situation and a new half
brother. Her perspectives on the uncomfortable moments that can arise from a
two-household family are very insightful. Although Cassie does begin to
doubt whether she is up to playing "real" football on a team, she handles
herself in many situations more as an adult than the adults in the novel.
Readers may wonder if this is truly a sports novel, or another coming-of-age
story.
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"Tackling Dad" is not a wash-out game, despite its flaws. It
gives a positive spin on girls playing sports that are normally
reserved for boys, exploring the bias and prejudices that certainly
take place when females "invade" male territory for the first time.
The story progresses quickly with lots of football explanations that
girls have probably wanted explained for eons! The scene where
Cassie and her friend Molly first try to put on their official
uniforms is very entertaining. Cassie makes us understand that being
a female athlete who loves football does not have to be just
participating as a cheerleader.
By the end of the book, Ms. Levy has drawn clear-cut characters
that we wish we had as friends. As a reader, we can identify with
Cassie's difficulties and desires, even as we ask ourselves if any
situation this complicated could be resolved so quickly. The
dialogue is middle school believable without overusing slang terms,
a habit so prevalent in novels for young people today.
If you are a girl looking for a light, good read that has a
sports twist, I would recommend "Tackling Dad." I am not sure the
boys would find it as appealing. For this book and others with
sports themes, come in and see us at the Lincoln Public Library, 725
Pekin St.
[Text from file received from
Louella Moreland, youth services,
Lincoln Public Library District] |
