Pop (by Gordon Korman)

POP goes beyond being a good read for sports fans. Yes, there's a lot of football action -- the team deals with their conflicts while trying to remain undefeated for a second straight season -- but the action is nothing compared to the page-turning drama of Charlie and his secret.

Charlie and Marcus share a special, if confusing, bond from the first time they meet at the local park. Thinking of his absent father, "Comrade Stalin," Marcus is a little confused by Charlie's playfulness and seeming lack of responsibility. The confusion gives way to amazement when he sees firsthand the awesome strength and agility that is more common in a man half Charlie's age. Charlie is thrilled to play football (and maybe pull a few pranks on the town curmudgeon) with "Mac," and it quickly becomes apparent that they are more important to each other than they realized.