Losers Take All by David Klass Pages: 320
Published by Farrar on October 20, 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, contemporary, Humor
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
From the author of the backlist favorite You Don't Know Me, a dramedy about the agony of victory and the thrill of defeat.
At Jack Logan’s sports-crazy New Jersey high school, the new rule is that all kids must play on a team. So Jack and a ragtag group of anti-athletic friends decide to get even. They are going to start a rebel JV soccer team whose mission is to avoid victory at any cost, setting out to secretly undermine the jock culture of the school.
But as the team’s losing formula becomes increasingly successful at attracting fans and attention, Jack and his teammates are winning in ways they never expected—and don’t know how to handle.
Losers Take All put a huge smile on my face. It was funny, heartwarming, different, and full of love-ably quirky characters. At Jack’s school, they are sports OBSESSED. Their last principal keeled over in the middle of a school run, and their new principal is even worse. He has decreed that all seniors must take part in a school sport team. Jack’s friends band together to form a C soccer team, and make a pack that they will always lose. I thought their act of “rebellion” was pretty funny. And what happens after is even funnier.
Jack’s father was a huge sports legend at his high school and he is still a town hero, so I know that must have been hard for Jack at home. I really liked how David Klass used sports and social media/school politics in Losers Take All. It is a parody of sorts, full of humor but not so far removed from real life. I could see something like this happening today. The pressure from schools, parents and even social perception to join all the clubs and teams and to be well rounded, which means playing a sport, and doing something artsy, and something academic, etc. Don’t get me wrong- I love sports, but I think you should want to play them if you are going to join a team. Call me crazy.
Losers Take All is a book that will have you laughing, have you cheering and rooting for the most love-able group of teens. I love that this book is told from a male character’s point of view. Jack is great. And watching his act of rebellion turn into something more was really special for me. Watching Jack and the rest of the team play soccer was a highlight as well. They were a hoot. I think there is something for everyone in Losers Take All. Some romance, some sports triumphs, lots of sports fails, and so many laughs. Whether you are a sports fanatic or if you don’t even know the difference between a tennis ball and a golf ball, check out Losers Take All. It will put a smile on your face.
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a book with a lot of heart that will have you laughing your head off? Check out Losers Take All by David Klass
Looking for a book with a lot of heart that will have you laughing your head off? Check out Losers Take All by David Klass @MacKidsBooks @BookBriefs Review Click To Tweet
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kindlemom1
This does sound like a fun read, great review!
Braine
I like how fun this sounds versus heavy and angsty. Reminds me of Breakfast Club a bit
Lekeisha
Definitely adding this to my TBR. I could use some more fun in my reading. Great review!
sherry fundin
The bent finger tells me there will be a problem. 🙂
Michelle @ Pink Polka Dot Books
I am SO glad to read that you found this funny and cute. I was hoping so hard that it would be. I loved David Klass’s book You Don’t Know Me and have been wanting to read more by him. This is the first review I’ve seen of this book & I’m so happy it was a good one!!
Kristina
Wow, seems interesting. I’ll pick it up if I see it around.
Katiria Rodriguez
Ohh Great review this book looks and sounds like a really fun and adorable book and right up my alley. Plus it is set in NJ count me in too check this book out soonish because I live in NJ Ha lol 🙂 Thank you for the awesome post!