This highly-anticipated novel by award-winning author, John Blossom, explores creativity, AI, and technology in some disturbing but plausible ways. What will football be like in the near future? The Last Football Player offers surprising and intriguing predictions in an easy-to-read and compelling story of compromise, friendship, and triumph in the face of the rapidly evolving changes teens face in society today.
The Last Football Player is a must-read for anyone interested in near-future sports psychology, team work, creative problem-solving, technology, artificial intelligence, coaching, and, surprisingly, art!
Read what reviewers are saying about The Last Football Player…
"The story is easy to read and follow, which makes for a comfortable reading experience. John Blossom certainly has a creative imagination! "
★★★★★ Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite
"It entertains. Blossom's book is a really fun read that engages sports enthusiasts and those interested in the evolving dynamics between tradition and innovation. My teen daughter also thought it was "pretty cool." And frankly, her approval is really hard to get! This novel is eerily well-timed in the age of artificial intelligence and goes even further to explore the conflict between tradition and mechanized sports. What would happen if artificial intelligence was the new normal for America's favorite pastime? Very highly recommended."
★★★★★ Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
"Forced to spend his time at the school's Tech Lab, Dude meets Tomly Newton, the center's student proctor, who introduces him to the advanced AI, Master, and the latest technological tools of the lab. Feeling inspired, Dude and his teenage friends work toward creating a football team of robots, only for the project to be taken over by his father and Circle Corporation. With a championship against their biggest rivals, Dude must now put everything on the line for what might be his last football game ever.
"The Last Football Player is a must-read for young adult sports fans and sci-fi lovers. At its core, John Blossom's absorbing sports drama is a coming-of-age story flavored with sci-fi elements. With the recent advancements in AI technology in the real world, the sci-fi elements of the story feel within reach. Add Blossom's realistic integration of futuristic tech into the plot, and you find yourself thoroughly invested in the story's stakes. The expository scenes are organically embedded into the narrative. Each character has distinct strengths and personalities that create compelling interactions and scenes. I especially enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie between Dude, Tomly, Adam, Master, and Allison. Recommended!"
★★★★★ Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
"There are some important lessons for parents, children, and teachers when it comes to modern schooling and education."
★★★★★ Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite
