Eddie and his friends have been playing neighborhood football for a long time. Their team, the Jets, has never beat the Giants, led by a mouthy kid and his buddies. Eddie is having trouble calling the right plays: on the team, at home, and with his secret crush—who just happens to be his best friend's twin sister. Everything seems to be changing: Eddie's dad moves out, Eddie's friends quit the team, and love seems lost.

Reviews:

Children's Literature
In this page-turner, Eddie finds everything in his life is changing. Up until now he has always had his dad at home, but his dad decides to move out. Up until now Eddie has always gotten along well with his three friends who comprise his football team known as the Jets. Now they let bickering break up the team. Until now, Eddie did not have a girlfriend. Now he chooses to become friends with Jackie, the sister of his best friend Bobby, much to the chagrin of the friend. Life can be especially tough for an adolescent playing the hand Eddie is dealt. The author knows kids well and offers up a believable tale. Dialogue is realistic and emotions authentic. Readers are offered an important story that they can easily relate to. Place the book in sixth grade classes and up. Boys, as well as girls, will enjoy and benefit from the football intrigue and timely issues.

Queens Tribune , September 22, 2005

Jets Serve As Lesson On Building Character

Coinciding with the return of the NFL, a Queens children’s author has used his favorite football team as the inspiration for a story that deals with the challenges faced by an urban neighborhood kid while growing up.

“Eddie and the Jets,” written by John Attanas, is a middle grade book that combines professional football with many different morals and life lessons.

“I have always been a big New York Jets fan,” the 43-year-old Attanas said. “For many years, they were a losing team, but I always said that losing builds character. That’s what the book is about, building character through loss.”

The book’s main character, Eddie, is an 11-year-old boy who was born in Queens, but relocates to New Jersey. Like the book’s author, Eddie is a huge Jets’ fan. Though he is small in stature and size, he forms a pickup football team that plays on the neighborhood streets, but always loses. As Eddie comes of age throughout the book, he learns the importance of friendship and family.

“There is a lot of relationship conflict in the book,” Attanas said. “The overall lesson is that in the end, doing the right thing is hard, but it’s usually the best way to go.”

A native of Forest Hills, Attanas is an English teacher at the Greek American Institute, a private school in the Bronx. After graduating with a Master’s degree from NYU, Attanas tried out his writing skills in playwriting, but soon found it difficult to infiltrate the upper echelon of the business. His first middle-grade novel was a non-fiction book called “Yo-Yo Ma: A Life In Music,” about the famed cello player. Attanas also had a teaching stint at LaGuardia Community College.

As NFL football kicks into high gear, Attanas is very confident about the Jets’ chances to have a big season. “I have a feeling they’re going back to days of old,” he said. Some of his favorite players include the current Wayne Chrebet as well as classic players like Wesley Walker and Joe Klecko. Attanas said he hopes that much like Eddie, the Jets can learn from hardships of the past.

“Eddie and The Jets” can be purchased at local bookstores, at amazon.com or by visiting the publisher’s Web site at www.darbycreekpublishing.com.

The Wichita Eagle , August 28, 2005

Eddie of "Eddie and the Jets" by John Attanas (Darby Creek Publishing, ages 11 and up, $15.95) loves New York Jets football. He starts a street football team, but every week the Giants cream them.

Eddie is faced with difficult questions. Should he replace some players? Is it OK to kiss his best friend's twin sister? Does his Dad love him enough to stay in the home despite his obvious unhappiness?

Attanas writes a powerful novel from the male point of view that all readers will enjoy. He captures the loyalties and stresses of adolescent life with candid narration and realistic conversation.

Eddie learns firsthand that life has consequences. Recruiting new players and a kiss nearly cost him his beloved football team. In confronting his Dad, both father and son learn you have to be careful about what you're willing to give up for what you think you might want.

St. Augustine Record , August 21, 2005

Eddie, a sixth-grader who lives in New Jersey, spends his days playing football with his best friends Bobby, Kenny, and Mikey. Every week they play against rival Kirby Carpenter and his team. As the tension builds up between the two, Eddie becomes more and more determined to win at any cost. However, not only does he have football to worry about, he must also deal with his parents’ separation and his crush on Bobby’s sister Jackie.

Although a football theme pervades throughout the novel, readers will be able to connect with other problems Eddie (and those of this age group) faces, including first loves, a troubled family life, and trying to affirm his self-worth. Additionally, Attanas’ use of first-person narrative allows the audience to further empathize with Eddie and his feelings.

The Midwest Book Review , March 2006

Small Press Bookwatch

Eddie and Jets is a young adult novel about making hard choices and growing up. Eddie loves football and starts a street football team called the Jets with his friends. But when Eddie falls in love with his best friend’s twin sister and Eddie’s dad walks out, things get more and more complicated, and one by one, things in Eddie’s life seem to fell apart—his football team, his family, his friendship, and his love life. Learning to pick up the pieces, adapt, and patch up differences is a key point in this modern story about coping with difficult changes. Highly recommended.