Ronde Barber

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

GO LONG! is a football story starring Tiki and Ronde Barber as young, up-and-coming players. This fast-paced, inspirational sports tale is sure to be popular with the middle grade crowd. Tiki and Ronde draw on their early years in the sport to encourage young people to use their talents and play the game with a sense of fair play and teamwork.

The story begins as Tiki and Ronde start their 8th-grade year. They are anxious to take show more the field as starters this year, but the coach upsets the entire team when he announces that he is moving up to coach the high school team. Sure that all of their previous success has been due to his excellent coaching abilities, the players nervously await the naming of their new coach. It is a surprise to all when the history teacher, Mr. Wheeler, is given the job. He is a terrific teacher, but that doesn't guarantee anything about his coaching skills.

Tiki and Ronde try to roll with the punches when the first few games end in defeat; however, Cody, the team's quarterback, is not being a team player. Cody argues with Coach Wheeler and questions his every move, causing team morale to sink to an all-time low. It is not until Tiki and a few loyal players take the time to get to know Coach Wheeler and his plans for the team that things start to look more positive for a winning season.

GO LONG! presents a message of cooperation and team spirit, and that along with a strong plot line and likeable characters make it a book that won't gather much dust on the shelf. show less

Tiki and Ronde were each other's best friends. Together from the start, these twins might not have been the strongest or the tallest, but they were fast and worked hard at what they loved. And they loved sports, especially football.
Then one day Tiki badly hurt his knee in a biking accident, and he was sure he'd never be able to play again. Their mother had always told them, "You are each other's best friends. Stick together, believe in yourselves, and you can do anything." They kept her show more words in their hearts and never gave up. Based on the childhood of National Football League superstars Ronde and Tiki Barber, this inspiring book about the values of family, hard work, and determination is the story of what it takes to be a champion. show less

My Brother's Side is by Tiki and Ronde Barber.The story begins when Tiki and Ronde are very young. The two boys do everything together and are very athletic and adventurous. One day, Tiki and Ronde are riding bikes with friends when Tiki has a terrible accident breaking his leg. Though Tiki's doctor tells his mother that he may never play sports again, Tiki is determined to get back on his feet. Ronde is very supportive of Tiki and continues to spend all of his time with him and promising show more him that one day he will be able to play football again. Two weeks before football practice is to begin, Tiki's doctor removes his brace and Tiki begins practicing and strengthening his leg. Tiki and Ronde are both allowed to play for their school's football team and learn the importance of hard work and love and support for family. Though it is not stated in the story, the biographies at the end of the book mention that Ronde and Tiki both grow up to become fantastic football stars in the NFL.

This story provides a great message about perseverance, hard work, and most importantly, true love and dedication to family.I think it is amazing how Tiki and Ronde Barber remembers all of the stuff when they were just in school playing ball.This book can teach you about not giving up and faith.The moral of the message was wonderful and showed the importance of family, homework, hard work, and most importantly the message that you can do anything you put your mind to. show less

A great book about the importance of family and never giving up. Boy would really enjoy this book and be able to relate to the brothers in some way, maybe they too experience and injury that kept them from what they loved. Use it to teach teamwork too.