Long Bomb
Author: Eric Howling
Publisher: Lorimer
Ed Warnicki used to play football in the park with his dad and dream of being a great receiver. Now, at fourteen, Ed secretly wishes he could play for his Calgary High Mustangs team. But he worries that he's too tall, too skinny and too insecure -- the exact opposite of star quarterback Tyrone Jackson. Wanting to contribute to the school's football team in some way, Ed accepts the job of waterboy. Tyrone teases Ed about his build, his old bike and his obvious crush on Tyrone's girlfriend and school sports reporter Zara, and one day at practice throws a ball right at Ed's head. Ed's instincts kick in and he makes a decent catch! So when the team's top receiver gets injured, Ed joins the team as back-up receiver. Getting annoyed that Zara seems to prefer Ed's company to his own, Tyrone won't pass to Ed, and even calls a play he knows could get Ed hurt. But the big game against their rival team puts school pride and Ed's confidence on the line. Will Tyrone throw to Ed? Can Ed catch a crucial pass and make his dreams of being a football hero come true?
Thank goodness for publishers like Lorimer that put out a steady stream of short, fast, easy-read sports novels. Such books are invaluable tools for pulling reluctant readers into books. Eric Howling, meanwhile, is at the top of his game in this genre, perhaps one of Lorimer’s best. And Long Bomb delivers, beginning to end, with well-drawn characters in situations that make you a cheerleader for them throughout. There’s a ton of sports action that drops you into a scene like you’re sitting beside a slick play-by-play sportscaster.
He handed off the ball to our fullback. Levi bulldozed his way up the middle for a big gain. The big quarterback was leading our Mustangs offence down the field.
Tyrone was like a magician. One play he’d call a pass to Sanjay. Then he’d hand the ball to Levi or Carlos for a running play. The Westside defence never knew what to expect from our number twelve.
It’s action-packed without ever fumbling the ball. (Well, okay, the scene where the police show up at school to deliver Ed a community award is a little corny.) And the writing is crisp and compelling.
His real name was Jerry Fishburn but everyone called him Fish for his last name and round bulging eyes. His claim to fame was being Tyrone’s sidekick. Everywhere Tyrone went, Fish swam right along beside him. Fish was a smooth talker and would set up Tyrone with jokes so that he looked good in front of his classmates – mainly the girls. Fish was small as a guppy with a few red zits peppering his oily face. But Tyrone didn’t mind because having Fish beside him all the time made him look bigger, stronger and better looking.
The story follows not only quiet, insecure Ed’s path to greater confidence, but the effect his community spiritedness has on others, including the antagonist.
Best of all is the dry humour that keeps the novel from taking itself too seriously.
“Is that you in there, Waterboy?”
I gave a feeble nod and lowered my window.
Tyrone stood back and eyeballed the old car that was taking up half the road. “Sweet ride, Eddy.”
“Yeah, nice wheels,” Fish laughed. “But last century called and they want their car back.”
Enjoy. I’m certainly going to check out more books by this author.
-P.W.