Knights of the Hill Country by Tim Tharp

She plans to surprise Bobby with the idea, but is herself surprised when she sees him in town-which can’t be right, because that’d mean he was home early, and didn’t tell her he was coming. His newest, BADD, is a creative and moving exploration of what happens when a young soldier named Bobby returns home from war, no longer able to relate to the life-or self-he’d left behind.īobby always was a rebellious sort, a charming risk-taker whose antics inspired the book’s title, as explained by narrator Ceejay, Bobby’s adoring younger sister: “He was wild and he was B-A-D-D, BADD.” Things got worse when he stole a car that’s when he had to choose between the army or jail.īut after several tours of duty, he’s finally coming home, and Ceejay is unbearably excited, not least because of her big plan: They’ll move in together, get jobs and escape their small town.

His second, The Spectacular Now, was a 2008 National Book Award finalist and has been optioned for a movie. His debut YA novel, Knights of the Hill Country, was named to the ALA Best Books of 2007 list. The idea stuck-and it’s been working well, to say the least. But after visiting book clubs to talk about his first book, Falling Dark (winner of the Milkweed National Fiction Prize), he says, “I had such a good time talking to high school students about it, I thought, I’m going to write a novel for them.” And meanwhile, his best friend and teammate Blaine-the true friend who first introduced Hampton to football back when he had nothing else-is becoming uncomfortably competitive, and he's demanding Hampton's loyalty even as Hampton thinks he's going too far.This unforgettable novel is the story of a boy whose choices will decide the kind of man he becomes, and raises powerful questions about sportsmanship, loyalty, and the deceptiveness of legends.From the Hardcover edition.Tim Tharp didn’t start out writing novels for teens. He's drawn to a smart, quirky girl at school-the type a star athlete just isn't supposed to associate with. His father walked out on him and his mom years ago, and now his mom has a new boyfriend every week.

But his life off the field is a different story. On the field, he's so in control you'd think he was able to stop time. This year, the Kennisaw Knights are going for their fifth straight undefeated season, and if they succeed, they'll be more than the best high school team in the eastern Oklahoma hill country-they'll be legends.But the Knights' legacy is a heavy weight to carry for Hampton, linebacker and star of the team. In a small Oklahoma town, one star linebacker must decide what kind of man he wants to be-both on and off the field.Welcome to Kennisaw-where Friday night high school football ranks right up there with God and country, and sometimes even comes in first.

Knights of the Hill Country by Tim Tharp