Lone Stars

By: Mike Lupica

Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte

An uplifting story about role models, football, and tackling fear set in the heart of Friday Night Lights country—from the bestselling author of Heat, Travel Team, and Fantasy League.

Clay is a quarterback's dream. When he zips across the field, arms outstretched, waiting for the ball to sail into his hands, there's no denying him the catch. Like most Texans, Clay is never more at home than when playing football. And his coach, a former star player for the Dallas Cowboys, is just like a second father.

But as the football season kicks off, Clay begins to notice some odd behavior from his coach--lapses in his memory and strange mood swings. The conclusion is painful, but obvious: Coach Cooper is showing side effects of the many concussions he sustained during his playing days. As Clay's season wears on, it becomes clear that the real victory will be to help his coach walk onto that famous star logo in the middle of Cowboys Field one last time--during a Thanksgiving day ceremony honoring him and his former Super Bowl-winning teammates.

In Lone Stars, #1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica demonstrates once again that there is no children's sports novelist today who can match his ability to weave a story of vivid sports action and heartfelt emotion. A touching story that proves life is bigger than a game.

Praise for Lone Stars

"Lupica has crafted another fine sports story for the middle school reader."—VOYA

"Young readers, no matter their level of interest in the game, will be drawn in by this touching, timely story."—Booklist

"There is plenty of great football action to keep the sports enthusiasts engaged, and the information about concussive injury is easily understood and applied. This is an entertaining read that also imparts an important message."—School Library Connection

Critic reviews

"Lupica has crafted another fine sports story for the middle school reader."—VOYA

"Young readers, no matter their level of interest in the game, will be drawn in by this touching, timely story."—Booklist

"There is plenty of great football action to keep the sports enthusiasts engaged, and the information about concussive injury is easily understood and applied. This is an entertaining read that also imparts an important message."—School Library Connection

Praise for Mike Lupica

“Lupica is the greatest sports writer for middle school readers.”—VOYA on True Legend

“Lupica has the knowledge of the game and the lean prose to make a taut, realistic story not just about the game but about heart, character, and family.”—Kirkus Reviews on Travel Team

“The dialogue crackles, and the rich cast of supporting characters nearly steals the show. Top-notch entertainment in the Carl Hiaasen mold.”—Booklist, starred review of Heat

“Lupica gives his readers a behind-the-scenes look at major league sports. In this novel, he adds genuine insights into family dynamics.”—Booklist on The Batboy

“Lupica will win a Pulitzer for his sportswriting one day (he should have won it already).”—The New York Times on Heat

How Clay acted as coach was his family

I like the detail on how it really shows how clay wood do anything for his coach

Overall, a pretty great book.

For pretense, I’m a 13 year old teen boy. The book was great because I have the attention span of a prune so I can’t sit down to read. The only bad thing is I feel the story didn’t really go into what was wrong with his head.

Great

Great book. A mixture of sad and happy a really really good book yes yes

Awesome Book

If you like football as much as me you could sit down and listen to this beginning to end. Mike Lupica is my favorite author


PS- If you want it to read it like how you read put it on 2 😉