John Allison writes some of the best quirky middle-school dialogue that I have ever read. This book dives right in with six students in their first year at Griswalds Grammer school, their friendships and squabbles over football, fashion, trading cards, siblings and the private life of teachers. Oh, also they solve mysteries and there's quite a big one going on- the Tackleford Football Club, improbably owned by a Russian millionaire, seems to be cursed. Its players keep falling ill, its new stadium construction is blocked by a single retiree and a satellite crashes onto the field in the middle of a big game. Will the trio of Jack, Linton and Sonny solve the mystery before their rivals? Will Shauna, Charlotte and Mildred be able to save the home of a sweet old lady on the verge of eviction? Do any of them even care about football??? All the answers will surprise you!