about the book
It’s the championship game, the bottom of the ninth, the score is tied, the count is 3-2, and the bases are loaded. Tommy Rust is at bat. Passionate about the game, he has been anticipating this moment. He so good, he is sure he’ll bring this trophy home! Just at that game-changing moment, his dad charges onto the field. Tommy knows exactly what that means. It is time to run!
Rocketing out of Hawthorne Creek, Oklahoma, they travel over 1500 miles through the night. Even before they reach their next random destination, Liverpool, a small upstate New York town, thirteen-year-old Tommy has memorized his newest identity, Brock Nickerson. For as long as he can remember, they have been on the run, changing places about every six months, constantly living undercover. His uber-authoritarian father doesn’t tell Brock anything…even their real names. Some kind of secret gun for hire, Brock’s dad is a ticking time bomb!
Brock can hardly push down the anger he feels at their situation. This time, settling in is harder than ever. The only one who seems to notice him is the snarling bully, Ryan Nagel. In an effort to fit in, Brock accepts a dare and tosses a rock through a window. The prank goes terribly wrong and Brock is caught. The house belongs to the baseball coach!
Though Coach Hudgens is angry about the broken window, he’s more interested in Brock’s pitching talent! He has an offer Brock can’t refuse. If Brock will play on his travelling team, he won’t call the cops. Obviously, Brock cannot get involved with the police!
Just about everyone says Hudgens is washed up. His team hasn’t won a game all year. He’s counting on Brock, but it doesn’t go well at first. Brock is all over the place when he bats. When baseball great Barrett Malone offers him some tips, Brock takes them to heart. His game improves and he pitches an entire tournament game, giving up no runs. ESPN jumps on the story. Every kid’s dream, right?
It’s bad news for Brock. His fake identity can’t hold up to the notoriety. But when the reporter goes looking for Brock’s dad, things get really bad. It is time to run again!
about the author
Tim Green worked very hard to achieve his childhood goals. He wanted to play on a NFL team AND become a best-selling author! He studied writing at Syracuse University where he was a Rossman Scholar for Humanities, a Syracuse Scholar, an NCAA Top Six Scholar, and a class co-valedictorian.
Tim was also on the Syracuse University football team and became an All-American. He was drafted on the first round by the Atlanta Falcons where he was a linebacker and defensive end. During his eight years with the Falcons, Tim continued going to graduate school, was a Rhodes Scholarship finalist, graduated with honors from the College of Law at Syracuse, started a career in broadcasting —and wrote his first novel.
Tim wrote fifteen books for adults that were inspired by his football career and his work as a lawyer. He also penned a series of kids’ suspense novels that blend adolescent life and sports. He models his main characters after his own children. Since he started penning books for young readers, Tim has visited schools and spoken to more than 400,000 students about the importance of character and the benefits of reading and getting a good education.
Born in Liverpool, New York, Tim still makes his home in upstate New York with his wife, five kids, and two dogs. In his spare time he coaches high school football and kids’ leagues in soccer, wrestling, baseball, and football.
Sources:
Author website
Author interview : School Library Journal
Author interview : Kid Scoop News
Author biography: Amazon
Also by Tim Green:
Kid Owner. Harper Collins. 2015.
Lost Boy. Harper Collins. 2015.
First Team. Harper Collins. 2014.
Perfect Season (Football Genius Novel). Harper Collins. 2013.
Unstoppable. Harper Collins. 2012.
Pinch Hit. Harper Collins. 2012.
Deep Zone (Football Genius Novel). Harper Collins. 2011.
Best of the Best (Baseball Great Novel). Harper Collins. 2011.
The Big Time (Football Genius Novel). Harper Collins. 2010.
Rivals (Baseball Great Novel). Harper Collins. 2010.
Football Champ (Football Genius Novel). Harper Collins. 2009.
Football Hero (Football Genius Novel). Harper Collins. 2008.
Football Genius (Football Genius Novel). Harper Collins. 2007.
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