Guy Friday- The Team and The Tush Push Trouble

Benedis-Grab, Daphne. The Team

September 1, 2026 by Scholastic Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

The Cottonwood, Colorado Coyotes football teams for the middle school and senior high have a devoted following, as well as some standout players. When the "Destroyer" tackles an opposing team member, Hudson Ramirez, a little too hard and shatters his leg, there are a lot of reverberations. Ethan, who family is deeply into the sport but who doesn't want to play, throws up on the sidelines. Tommy, who is fairly new, has to put this into perspective with his own actions on the field, since he struggled with some anger management issues at his previous school. There is an undercurrent of unease surrounding the entire team, and especially Coach, and Simone, who works for the school paper, picks up on this. When her older brother, Brian, is accused of trashing Coach's office and destroying his computer, she doesn't think he is guilty, but he admits to the crime and is whisked off to live with his father in Denver. Simone talks to Tommy and Ethan, and they decide to investigate the incident and find the real culprit. Brian was on probation because of grades but other players were as well. The kids start asking questions, from player's siblings to players on the Wildcats team, because the Coyotes' players close ranks and won't talk. Not only that, but all three kids get text threats to back away, and someone even leaves roadkill on Simone's porch and lures Ethan to fall down steps at school. This just strengthens her resolve to prove her brother's innocence, especially since the siblings are dealing with their parents' divorce. Tommy's father has lost his job, and the family has m oved in with grandparents, so football is the one bright spot in his world. When our investigators finally realize that Brian really did trash the office, they discover that the story is really WHY he did this. Will they be able to brings some disturbing football allegiances to light? 

Strengths: Of COURSE sports can be dark. So why don't we have more books like Deuker's 2007 Gym Candy? It was really inspired to craft a mystery around not only sports but some anger management issues and evil doings of the coaching staff. There are also some challenges that Simone, Tommy, and Ethan face that will make adults happy. I can see this being a really intriguing book circle choice, and one which students wouldn't dread talking about in class! The kids mount their investigation in a realistic way, and Simone uses her journalism techniques to good adventage. The real crime takes a while to tease out, so I think the suspense will keep younger readers turning the pages. 
Weaknesses: Ms. Benedis-Grab is a school librarian , so I'm always confused by some of the freedoms her characters are given. At one point, Simone and company hack into the parent portal, mark themselves excused, take a bus across town to the other school, get in, and talk to other kids in the cafeteria. I can't see any part of this realistically working at my school, but it does give the children some freedom while still keeping the parents alive! I also wasn't as convinced the incident with Brian needed investigating, and Simone's efforts could have used more of an impetus. This will not stop me from buying at least one copy of this. Probably two. 
What I really think: I adore the fact that this is both a football book and a mystery, and the cover alone will make it super popular. This is a fantastic choice for readers who like Benedis-Grab's books like I Know Your Secret or Josh Berk's now classic 2010 The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin. 

Kelly, David A. The Tush Push Problem (Football Mysteries #3)
August 11, 2026 by Curveball Books
E ARC provided by Netgalley

Mike and Kate are in Philadelphia while Kate's mother covers the Eagles for American Sportz magazine. They are enthralled with the scent of cheesesteaks and the live eagle that flies around the stadium during games, but when the eagle seems to target Kate after landing near her, they are a little concerned. Lincoln's handlers, Rocky and Adrian (ha ha!)tell Kate that it is because she is wearing bright yellow, which the eagle associates with a landing pad, and invite Kate to be on the field when Lincoln lands during the game. Afterwards, the kids run into Jamal "Cheesesteak" Carter, who is down. His wrist coach is missing (I had to look this up!), and while he could replace the plays for the game, it also contained a piece of AstroTurf from Veterans Stadium that his grandfather had given him. Jamal doesn't think he can do the team's signature "tush push" play until he gets it back. Mike and Kate talk to Vinnie, Jamal's assistant, and check the locker room under his supervision, but can't find anything. Vinnie casts suspicion of a new intern, Kyle, who misplaces a lot of things, but he seems innocent. Is Vinnie the real suspect? With the help of the security team's footage, Mike and Kate are able to find the piece of AstroTurf in time for Jamal to break out of his slump and win the game. 

Strengths: I love that Mike and Kate are given the opportunity to run around ball parks and stadiums by themselves while Kate's mother is working; it makes perfect sense. There's not really anywhere they can go, or real trouble that they can get into, but young readers will love the freedom! They get to talk to ball players and people involved with the game, and occasionally get onto the field themselves. Pure wish fulfillment for young fans. I know my brother got to be a water boy at a game once (the details of where and when are cloudy after 50 years), and he was thrilled! Kelly's style is always fast paced and engaging, and young football fans will eat up Mike and Kate's adventures. 
Weaknesses: All the talk of cheese steak made me hungry! Also, I'm not sure what Random house was thinking, not publishing this series. This would be the very top of my list for purchase in an elementary school. 
What I really think: Fans of Jake Maddox's sports books will enjoy the mystery in this, as well as all the sports details. The books remind me of Ron Roy's ABC Mysteries, with which my own children were obsessed in elementary school. There should be more short, early chapter book series about sports!