  | Football's most controversial plays : you make the call! (Sports Illustrated Kids. You Make The Call!) Author: Chandler, Matt | |
| Price: $25.33 | ||
Summary:
Why didn't the refs call pass interference during the 2018 NFC Championship Game between the New Orleans Saints and the St. Louis Rams? In 2012, who really caught the ball on a Hail Mary pass at the end of the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks? Was it a forward pass or a lateral at the end of the AFC Wild Card Game between the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans on January 8, 2000? The refs made their calls. Now it's your turn! Did the refs get it right?
Reviews:
School Library Journal (-) (04/03/26)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 04/03/2026 Gr 3–6—Chandler puts readers in the striped jersey of an NFL official in this look at the league's most debated moments. The book covers three specific historical flashpoints: the "Music City Miracle," the "NOLA No-Call," and the infamous "Fail Mary." The quality of information is solid, providing a breakdown of the seven on-field official positions, from the back judge to the umpire, and the immense pressure of monitoring 22 players on a massive field. Chandler utilizes "Time Out" sidebars to offer cultural context, such as why Nashville is called "Music City" or the contract dispute that led to the 2012 replacement officials. The writing is clear and informative, but the format is where the book falls flat. While the concept of "You Make the Call!" is interesting, the execution is hampered by the medium—the book repeatedly asks children to make a definitive ruling on a high-speed football play that they simply cannot see. Relying on a single static photograph to judge a "helmet-to-helmet hit" or "simultaneous possession" provides a frustrating feeling for the reader. From the first play involving a 1978 fumble where the text notes replays "clearly showed" the truth, students are denied the visual evidence needed to participate, which could easily discourage further reading. The photography consists of standard professional action shots, and while they are well-framed, they cannot compensate for the lack of motion. Robust back matter includes a glossary, index, and reading resources. VERDICT Despite the high-interest subject matter, the mismatch between the interactive premise and the static format makes this a frustrating read. A marginal addition for libraries with a high demand for football trivia.—Richard Winters - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
