Deep Zone by Tim Green

I am doing my book review on Deep Zone by Tim Green. This 265 page book is the conclusion to the Football Genius Novels. In this thrilling story, Troy White and Ty Lewis meet in a 7 - on - 7 tournament at that’s being held at the Super Bowl between the Jets and the Falcons in Miami. Ty is a ball boy for the New York Jets, the team his brother Thane, or Tiger, as he is known by everyone else, plays for. In a game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thane is hurt in the final seconds of the game. While Ty is at the hospital with Thane, he sees a face on TV that gives him nightmares: the face of a man that ran a gambling operation for the notorious D’Amico crime family. Ty’s Uncle Gus had gambled with Lucy Catolone, the man in charge of the gambling, and lost big. Now, a few years later, Lucy and some of the D’Amicos are to appear in court with Gus being the star witness. Meanwhile Thane is recovering and Ty is under the protection of the FBI in case any of the D’Amico gang comes after him because of his connection with Gus. I seems that all is well as Ty and his seven-on-seven team win game after game and are headed for the tournament.

In Miami, Ty meets Troy, the “football genius” of the Atlanta Falcons, who is also with his team in the tournament. In the beginning Troy and Ty don’t get along because Ty seems interested in Tate McGreer, Troy’s friend. One night, Troy thinks that he and Thane are being followed. The excitement builds as Ty, Thane, and Tate go on a tour through the Everglades to see alligators. They go past a haunted fishcamp and on the way back they get drenched by poaring rain. Back at the hotel, Ty sees the killer who is part of the D’Amico gang. Throughout the tournament, both Ty’s and Troy’s teams keep winning until both make it to the championship game. Then the unexpected happens the night before. Troy thinks he sees his dad and runs after him. Ty sees everything play out before his eyes and goes after Troy. Then Ty is jumped on by two of the D’Amico gang members and kidnapped and taken with Troy and his dad to the fishcamp. Ty texts Tate and tells her where they are at and she comes to the rescue. While escaping, they are all caught and taken back. Later on, Troy’s dad frees all three kid, but Troy breaks his ankle during the escape. The kids are safely returned and Troy’s dad leaves without another word.

In this highly acclaimed and suspenseful novel, you will witness experience after horrifying and exciting experience. I think this would be a great book for any football fanatic. Deep Zone has not received any rewards and recommended reading age is 8-12. Kirkus reviews says, “NFL insider Green brings together his two heroes—Ty and Troy—in this gridiron mystery focused on teen football phenoms.” Joy Held says, “Green is a master with a meaningful metaphor and writes the life and brains of 12-year-old boys really well. The series is a winner, and Deep Zone is one of the star players.” Some other books by Tim Green are Football Genius, Football Hero, Football Champ, The Big Time, Rivals, Baseball Great, and Best of the Best. If you like any books by Mike Lupica including The Underdogs and Million Dollar Throw you are sure to like Deep Zone. A quote from the book is “Ty didn’t react, but on the snap of the ball, he gave a head fake outside, then back inside. Moby’s hands shot out and struck Ty, but Ty had already turned sideways and started back out to the outside: the double fake. Moby’s blow glanced off Ty’s ribs, and Ty shot past the cornerback, racing straight down the sideline.” I highly recommend this book because you constantly are asking yourself questions. Who will win the tournament? What about the Super Bowl? What happens to Ty and Troy? Will the D’Amicos be arrested by the FBI? You have to read this gripping novel to find out.

Recommended by an 8th grader