Book Review 3: Out of the Pocket

Konigsberg, Bill. Out of the Pocket. New York, NY: Penguin Group INC., 2008.

As if being a star high school quarterback doesn’t carry enough stress, Bobby Framingham has a whole other load of problems that begin to consume his life and put his future at stake. Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg tells the story of 17 year old Bobby, who is in the spotlight of his senior year. While Bobby’s teammates are talking about hooking up with girls, he is coming to the realization that he is gay. In a world where openly gay pro sports players are a needle in a haystack, Bobby chooses to only confide in a select few people that will protect not only his secret but also his future in sports. When a conniving reporter from his school spills his protected secret, Bobby is forced to deal with national media attention that brings tension between him and his teammates. In order to pull his life back together, Bobby must face supportive and non-supportive teammates, his parents, his coach, the media and the boy that is beginning to play a big part in his life. While someone called a different play for Bobby’s life than he expected, it’s his turn to step up and become the successful young man he is inside.

Out of the Pocket combines two topics that in our society are typically stereotyped as not being correlated; being gay & athletes. Konigsberg tackles these subjects with a powerful message that reminds readers that sexuality shouldn’t define anyone’s success. Bobby is a college prospect quarterback but when his secret is leaked to the press, there is a scare that his dreams of playing college sports are destroyed. While Bobby’s sexuality has no effect on his football skills, once it is out in the open he gets thrown into the spotlight for being a gay star quarterback. While Bobby attempts to return his team’s camaraderie to the playfulness it was before he came out, he still experiences resistance from several teammates that can’t get past his sexual orientation. Bobby holds his head high, embraces who he is and realizes that he has become a role model of hope for others that were like him, hiding their true identity. Konigsberg may use football as the vehicle for delivering his ideas but the real story is something that can be applied to all. While you may not be in the media spotlight or a star quarterback, this book emphasizes to readers that they are not alone in their struggles. With a storyline that could unfold at any high school, Konigsberg gives young readers something to relate to, no matter their location.