Catching Jordan

October 31, 2011
Jordan Woods is the captain and quarterback of her high school football team in Franklin, Tenn. (“I mean, obviously I think Justin Timberlake is a megahunk, but I’m also over six feet tall and can launch a football fifty yards,” she boasts). Jordan single-mindedly pursues her dream of getting a football scholarship to the University of Alabama until Ty, a hot quarterback from Texas, moves to town and throws her off her game. In addition to Jordan’s instant crush on the new competition, her father (a starting NFL quarterback) won’t come to her games; she is under the scrutiny of recruiters; and her longtime best friend is in love with her. When Jordan breaks her own rules and starts dating Ty, she must re-evaluate her priorities. Jordan’s team’s wholesale acceptance of a female quarterback strains credibility, but debut author Kenneally does a solid job of depicting Jordan’s conflicted emotions, the pressure she is under, and her testy relationship with her father. Despite the gridiron setting, this is at its heart a romance—most of the action and drama takes place off the field. Ages 13–up.

December 1, 2011

Gr 8 Up-Jordan Woods really is just one of the guys-the guys on her Tennessee state championship runner-up football team, that is. In fact, she's the starting QB and team captain. Seem a little far-fetched? Maybe not for the daughter of an NFL quarterback whose brother starts for the University of Tennessee and who tops out over 6 feet and 170 pounds. For assets, she has a near promise from the University of Alabama for a full ride, a close bunch of guy friends from her team, and a really good shot at the state title. Among the problems, she has a dad who won't come to her games; bitchy cheerleaders who sleep with her long-time buddy, Henry; and now Ty Green, a new guy who throws rockets and has a body and face that make her feel something that no other guy on or off the field has awakened. So, not only is he serious competition for her position, but he is also wrecking her concentration in games and practice. Strangely enough, when Jordan starts seeing him, Henry doesn't seem happy for her. She is the last to know that he has been in love with her for ages. She has some tough decisions to make about playing football and which boys' passes she wants to catch. Written in a casual, no-nonsense style that suits its protagonist, this novel has some interesting characters and promotes females in sports. It's a spirited football romance in the zone of Dairy Queen (Houghton Harcourt, 2006), especially for readers who associate a sack with a quarterback, not just shopping.-Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA

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