The Option (The Red Zone)

3Q 4P J S

"Centering on the suburban town of Troy, Ohio, each of The Red Zone books has a revolving cast of characters, which maintains freshness and readability. With football as the central character, it is also the catalyst moving the stories forward, though there are no explicit transitions between each book, so the events surrounding each central character must engage and be variable. The depth at which the rotating authors absorb the readers demonstrates the series' sustainability. The Option packs an emotional lesson on the repercussions of drunk driving between rivals Shane and Gary. Brian, in Out of the Tunnel, battles his conscience about bullying to be part of the tight-knit team, while in At All Costs, the damage of concussions to youths playing sports is validated. While Breakthrough is the weakest in terms of a powerful message imparted to readers, it focuses on an unlikely friendship.
Readers will appreciate the ability to pick up whichever books interest them while not having to read in sequential order. These books can be effortlessly advertised to boys reading below grade level who still maintain an interest in contemporary topics. This series will be an easy selection to stock on school shelves." --VOYA