Red Zone (Barber Game Time Books)
In the fourth book of the football series that began with Kickoff (2007), the Eagles junior-high team struggles through the playoffs as the players battle their community’s high expectations as well as chicken pox. Twins Tiki and Ronde each miss a game, but team members step up when the Eagles take the field, eventually playing in the state championship. Like the earlier books, this one emphasizes good values and teamwork on and off the field, but readers who come to the book looking for play-by-play football action will find plenty here, beginning with Kadir Nelson’s cover illustration. Grades 4-7. --Carolyn Phelan