Common Sense Media Review
By Kya Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Heartfelt prequel centered on beloved track coach.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In COACH, we head back to 1988 where 12-year-old Otie Brody, Jr. dreams of becoming a decorated Olympic medalist like his role model, Carl Lewis. After a bully taunts him due to his appearance, Otie takes matters into his own hands and fights back. His beloved dad's been away for work trips a lot, so Otie throws himself into his track training and hopes to get scouted for the Junior Olympics. His dad even buys him a pair of coveted Air Jordans to boost his confidence. Otie believes they will help him soar to Olympic gold. However, after a rare day of bonding with his Dad, his shoes go missing and his dad disappears. Everyone starts to act strangely but Otie remains optimistic. Things come to a head when he finally learns why his Dad takes so many work trips: he's addicted to drugs. While this revelation threatens to alter their relationship, it's also an opportunity to learn more about his dad and what he goes through.
Is It Any Good?
A charming portrait of a beloved character that can function as the perfect beginning to the Track series and it can stand alone as an engaging story about the power of sports and community. Coach is an endearing novel about the dual nature of dreams and how they can propel us forward or hold us back in life. Author Jason Reynolds is a master of creating stories that thoughtfully reflect sometimes harsh realities of life in ways that are digestible for middle grade audiences. Parents can trust that their kids will learn important, relatable lessons about identity and life as they follow young Otie on his journey.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how perseverance is a major theme in Coach. Although Big Otis has struggled with his addiction for quite some time, he never gives up on his sobriety due to his love for Otie. When was a time you didn't let obstacles keep you from achieving a goal that was important to you?
Otie is able to openly ask questions to Big Otis about the origins of his addiction, allowing him to better empathize with his father. When have you communicated honestly with someone else, resulting in the two of you having a stronger understanding of each other's point of view?
Otie loves the idea of time travel and when he's not drawing time machines, he's imagining what his life would be like in different timelines. What does it look like for you to show curiosity in your everyday life?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Sports
- Topics : Family Stories ( Dads , Moms ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School ) , Sports ( Track & Field )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Curiosity , Empathy , Gratitude , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
- Publication date : October 14, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 18
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 27, 2025
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