Payback Time
School year: Lower 6th, Upper 6th, Year 10, Year 11, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9
No. of pages 304
Published: 2012
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"Payback Time" by Carl Deuker follows the story of the high school student Mitch True, an aspiring sports journalist who is determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of a popular football player, Angel Marichal. As he investigates, Mitch faces challenges that test his friendships and loyalties. His quest for answers leads him into a web of secrets involving the school's football team and the darker aspects of high school life. Throughout the ordeal, Mitch learns about courage, justice, and the importance of standing up for what is right, all while navigating the complexities of adolescence and relationships. [Generated by language model - please report any problems].
This book is the winner of numerous awards
This book is aimed at children at US 7th grade+.
This book has been graded for interest at 12-17 years.
There are 304 pages in this book.
It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.
This book was published in 2012 by Cengage Learning, Inc .
Carl Deuker is a teacher in the Northshore School District outside of Seattle. He has won numerous awards for his novels.
This book has been nominated for the following awards:
Iowa Teen Award - Grades 8-12
This book was recognised in the Grades 8-12 category of the Iowa Teen Award.
Black-Eyed Susan Award - Grades 6-8
This book was recognised in the Grades 6-8 category by the Black-Eyed Susan Award.
Grand Canyon Reader Award - Tween
This book was recognised in the Tween category by the Grand Canyon Reader Award.
Iowa Teen Award
This book was recognised by the Iowa Teen Award.
Isinglass Teen Read Award
This book was recognised by the Isinglass Teen Read Award.
Golden Sower Award - YA
This book was recognised in the YA category by the Golden Sower Award.
Sequoyah Book Award
This book was recognised by the Sequoyah Book Award.
Texas Lone Star
This book was recognised by the Texas Lone Star.
"The game action alone is riveting even for readers who don't know a naked bootleg from a hook-and-ladder play, but Deuker enriches the tale with several welltuned subplots and a memorable narrator/protagonist who turns a corner on his own self-image while weathering brutal tests of his courage and determination. Definitely one for the top shelf."--Booklist, starred review
"Told in the first person, the story is initially funny, but the humor is soon eclipsed by the suspenseful plot and the copious play-by-play football action. These elements work together to create a rousing climax, which is then followed by a softer and more reflective denouement. Nicely played. "--Kirkus Reviews
"Deuker has crafted another entertaining and readable football story. The game descriptions are well done and will appeal to players and fans. Many teens who dreamed of being a star as children but don't make the team in high school will identify with Mitch." --School Library Journal
"A strong football story with nail-biting action and intrigue and a strong, appealing protagonist."--VOYA
"It's a solid Cooneyesque mystery/thriller, though, with enough straight-up gridiron action to draw a crowd, and it won't take much booktalking to sell middle-schoolers on this title."--The Bulletin
Gym Candy
An IRA 2009 Young Adult ChoiceTexas Lone Star 2009 list
"Riveting" --The Bulletin
"An eye-opening recommendation to all budding athletes." --VOYA
"A superb sports novel with no easy resolutions." --Kirkus Reviews Runner
A Booklist Top Ten Sports Book
A VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers
Nominated as YA book of the Year in Texas "Deuker fans won't be disappointed."--The Bulletin
"Suspenseful and involving. . . . Chance's dilemmas will quickly draw in readers and keep them turning the pages." --Kliatt "Sinister goings-on, a murder, last minute heroism, and a new life rich with possibility make this a satisfying read." --Kirkus Reviews High Heat
A Booksense 76 Pick
A Booklist Top 10 Youth Sports BookWinner of the Golden Sower Award "High Heat joins the Deuker canon with yet another fine study of a conflicted soul whose ethical salvation is determined in a sporting arena." --The Bulletin "Good baseball books are in short supply for teens; do not let this one slip past." --VOYA
Night Hoops
An ALA Best Book (star) "An excellent novel." --School Library Journal "Deuker adds further luster to his reputation for top-flight sports writing matched to uncommonly perceptive coming-of-age stories." --Kirkus Reviews Heart of a Champion
YA book of the Year in Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Tennessee. Paperback edition available from Little, Brown.Painting the Black
A Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Winner
An ALA Best Book
(star) "It ain't pretty, but it's real." --The Bulletin
"The well-written sports scenes will draw readers, but it is Ryan's moral courage that will linger when the reading is done." --Booklist