I read “Friday Night Lights” by H. G. Bissinger. Friday Night Lights takes place in Odessa, Texas. In Odessa everything revolves around football. The year is 1988 and the football season is just starting. The book follows players like Brian Chavez, Ivory Christian, Boobie Miles, and Mike Winchell. It also follows head coach Gary Gaines. Every boy who attends Permian High School dreams of playing in the coveted state championship. The players and coaches are all under immense stress to do well by everyone in the town. Coach Gaines gets stress from the financial supporters of the football team. Boobie Miles, the star running back gets hurt during practice and his hopes of a scholarship are crushed. Mike Winchell then has to lead the team. They do well throughout the season and are set to face off against Carter High School. They end up losing 14-9. They return home and have to deal with defeat. I picked this book because I like football, but also knew there would be character's that I don’t have things in common with. The book takes place in Texas where I’ve never been. Also, there are Mexican-American and African-American. I’m caucasian and live in Iowa. I have no idea what it’s like to be someone of color living in Texas. I learned a lot. In the book once Boobie got hurt he was treated like he was useless which shows how race affects decisions made. I also learned about the pressure of being a teenage football player in Texas. Everyone expects you to win the state championship and if you don’t your disgraced. “He responded without the slightest hesitation. 'A big ol’ dumb nigger.'” I chose this quote because one of the coaches says this about Boobie if he didn’t have football. This quote captures the racism involved in the town, school, and football program. I have no idea what it feels like to be criticized just for the color of my skin. I learned a lot from this book about the pressures of being a high school football player in Texas. By Nick Einck
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AuthorSTenth grade students at Decorah High School share how they're reading outside of their own experiences and how it has changed them. Categories
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