IN THE POCKET

A young football fan meets his idol and watches him triumph in the big game. Billy and his dad ride the train from Baltimore to New York to see the championship game between the Colts and the Giants. In flashback, Billy remembers a day, earlier in the year, when his friend Tommy came to him with a big surprise: Billy’s hero, Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas, lives not far away! They visit the friendly Unitas, who throws the ball with them and offers some advice. Back at the big game, Billy and Dad are on tenterhooks as the score seesaws back and forth before a series of passes by Unitas secures victory for the Colts in overtime. This substantial sports story for middle-elementary grades focuses on a deserving former star but is hampered by stilted narration: “ ‘He got the Colts back into a position to win the game,’ I said with great admiration.” O’Leary’s acrylic paintings have a soft focus that gives them a proper period feel. A compact Unitas bio and bibliography are included. (Picture book. 8-11)