Last Chance for First by Tom Hazuka

Last Chance for First. Hazuka, Tom (Author) May 2008. 296 p. Brown Barn, paperback, $8.95. (9780979882401). High-school-junior Robby Fielder is constantly reminded by his parents that he doesn’t measure up to his older, football-star brother. Robby’s sport, much to his dad’s displeasure, is soccer. Dad is also displeased by Robby’s interest in Pet, the new girl at school. Over a period of several weeks, Robby’s teammate is in an alcohol-induced car accident, and his coach resigns after his abusive methods are exposed by video footage on the news. Eventually, Robby finds that Pet taped the coach, he leads his team back to victory,and he becomes Pet’s boyfriend. Stock characters abound: sadistic coach; quirky, nonconformist girl; understanding English teacher; and a confused jock at the center of it all. What sets this apart, however, is the sometimes coarse but always realistic portrait of high-school life. Readers will find plenty that is familiar here, and they will appreciate the somewhat meandering plot that doesn’t tie up all the loose ends. — Todd Morning School Library Journal 9/2008 HAZUKA, Tom. Last Chance for First. 289p. Brown Barn. 2008. pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0-9798824-0-1. LC 2007938351. Gr 8 Up–Robby Fielder is a varsity soccer co-captain and decent student, but his parents continue to compare him to his football-star older brother and find him lacking. When he and his best friend share a few beers, it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but then Jim continues drinking and totals his car, causing his parents to pull him from the team, where his goalie skills are sorely missed. Meanwhile, Robby is attracted to Pet, whose bleached hair, nose ring, and outspokenness make her an object of derision among their classmates. She opens up to him, revealing a dark secret about her past, and he admires her honesty and longs to keep her trust. Robby’s teammates begin to question his commitment to the squad, and, indeed, as his relationship with Pet develops, it seems that the team’s cohesiveness unravels. Robby is forced to make decisions about where his loyalty really lies: putting the team first will help him to realize his dream of a soccer scholarship, but at what price? Hazuka’s first young adult novel realistically depicts one teen’s struggle to prepare for the future without compromising the present. There are enough plot twists to keep readers guessing, and soccer fans will appreciate the author’s obvious love of the game. While adult figures are fairly two dimensional–the wise teacher, the win-at-all-costs coach–the dialogue and interactions among the teens are spot-on. A solid choice where Chris Crutcher and Mike Lupica have a strong following.