Book Details
Written by
Genre
More details

Cover-up: Mystery at the Super Bowl (by John Feinstein)

common sense media says

Suspenseful, satisfying sports mystery.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book is very mild by young adult standards; "hell" and "damn" are said a few times, there's some non-explicit kissing, and the mystery involves illegal growth-enhancing drugs used by athletes.

Positive messages: Football is just the setting for a story about gifted teen writers achieving success in the professional adult world.
Positive role models: Many characters behave nobly, even at personal risk and sacrifice.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Some kissing, and an older man hits on an underage girl.
Language: Some mild swearing, plus other cursing dashed out, as in "---- you."
Consumerism: Soft drink brand.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The plot hinges on athletes taking illegal growth-enhancing drugs. Some drinking and cigars.

More on Cover-up: Mystery at the Super Bowl

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the conflicting values here: telling the truth vs. supporting one's teammates, proving an allegation vs. protecting sources, winning at all costs vs. losing with honor.
  • What would you do if you were the young reporters? The quarterback? The team owner? The TV producer?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Stevie and Susan Carol are 14-year-olds with their own cable sports show who, in the two previous books, have had major scoops solving mysteries at big sporting events. Now they're about to head to the biggest event of all: the Super Bowl. But just before they go, the network fires Stevie, and hires a dimwitted boy-band singer to work with Susan.

Stevie goes anyway, under the auspices of his mentor, a reporter for the Herald, and is immediately picked up to do some reports for CBS as well. Soon he and Susan get wind of a major story: The entire front line of one of the teams has tested positive for banned growth hormone HGH, and the owner is covering it up. But before they can run with the story, they need proof.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

John Feinstein, sports reporter for print publications and NPR, knows the world in which he sets the story -- not just the world of professional sports, but that of the media who cover it. Football is just the setting for a story about gifted teen writers achieving success in the professional adult world.

While Feinstein infuses the details with the kind of gritty realism you'd expect from someone with his background, the overall plot is a sportswriter's fantasy of the Big Story that falls perfectly into his lap. But it's that very perfection that makes this so satisfying. Add to that some terrific suspense and an outcome that's never really in doubt, and you have something akin to the old Mission: Impossible TV series, in which the suspense and pleasure come from watching it all fall neatly together. And, of course, young readers will enjoy watching kids give adults their richly deserved comeuppance.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: John Feinstein
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Publication date: August 14, 2007
Number of pages: 298
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 11
Read Alone: 11

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

Review It

 

Review Cover-up: Mystery at the Super Bowl





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

buckaru118
teen, 15 years old
 
good for kids in there teens
i am 13 and iam a student of northern middle schoo in maryland an we have to read a 250 page novel and answer questions and i choose this book i thought this book is good and i am in honors reading

ab60564
teen, 14 years old
 
This book is for all sports, and mystery lover to enjoy!!
I think it is a wonderful book and I can't wait for the next one to come out so I can enjoy more of John Feinstein's talent!!!!

harmonicaplayi ...
teen, 17 years old
 
Iffy.
It was an annoyingly plotless book, but it's good for those who like everything perfect in the beginning and perfect at the end.

Miranda Jo
teen, 16 years old
 
Amazing book!!! A+
I had to read this book for a school project, and I thought that this book was amazing! It's a very educational book about the dangers of getting involved with trouble. This book is a great book to read for a scholl project! It's very easy to understand and you can earn an A easily!

finchdahoodman
parent of 14 year old
 
worst book ever
hate it its gay dont buy. worst 20 bucks of my life

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you read Cover-up: Mystery at the Super Bowl?


Already read it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age