The characters of this book The Off Season are interesting to learn about. There is DJ the second to youngest child and the main character of this story. She's the only girl of a family of three boys that all play football. DJ is pretty muscular for a girl which I can see, because she plays football. Then there is Brian her so called Boyfriend that's embarrassed of her. He too plays football, but not for Redbend he plays for Hawley. Brian and DJ are rivals! Brian is a popular jock who everyone likes. Now it goes on for me too talk about DJ's three brothers: Win, Bill, and Curtis. Win is the oldest of the three and one of the best college football players on his team. Bill also plays college ball, but on a different team then Win. Wins more dedicated and on a better team. Win's hardworking and doesn't give up and Bill is the big Teddy Bear. Last but not least there is Curtis the youngest out of DJ, Win, and Bill. He also plays football, but he really isn't into it like his older siblings. He's one of those smart geeky boys that's more interested in his school work and projects then a sport. Yes, the author makes me visualize them as real people, because there is people out there in the real world just like the people in this book. I like the characters in this book they are all full of different personalities. If your reading a book and you didn't like the characters you would not be interested in figuring out what would happen to them in the end. If you so happen to really like the characters you would not be able to put the book down and you would finish it to figure out what would happen to them all. DJ's personality is outgoing and don't care what people think. How she told Brian off, because he's embarrassed by her. Brian is defensive yet caring. How he doesn't want to be seen with her in public, but goes to her house helps out on the farm and takes her to buy stuff. Curtis is quiet like when he got in trouble for skipping school and staying over at his girlfriend's. The reason was that they had to stay up all night to work on their science fair project. He didn't tell because he didn't want his siblings to make fun of him for being smart.
The theme of this book I believe is a good one. The lesson the author wanted us to learn was A TOUGH LIFE CAN MAKE YOU STRONGER. For instance, it got Win and Bill all the way to college football, because they worked so hard at it. It got Win fighting for survival mentally and physically. Curtis fighting for everyone to see he is smart, but not to make fun of him. Brian did learn how to work hard, but in DJ's eyes he never learned other toughness. Like how to stand up to your so called friends and defend those who really are your friends even if they are unpopular or poor or the wrong size. All the things DJ had to go through this year were worth it, because she realized having an easy life and everything give to you don't make you strong and don't teach you anything.
Making a connection towards this book The Off Season reminds me of the book Comeback by John Coy. DJ and Miles Manning are very much alike they aren't handsome or the prettiest kid at their school, but they have one thing in common they love football. They aren't the most popular or liked at their school however, they are determined to do their best for their team mates and team. Another connection that this book reminds me is when Win had to go to the hospital for his injury in football. DJ walked in there and her heart stopped she didn't know the situation was that bad. She saw tubes coming out of his throat and he couldn't set up or eat for himself, the nurses even had to roll him for him so he wouldn't get bed sores. It reminds me when my Grandma Grey had to go to the hospital when she was dieing. I went to see her and it was so scary all you could see was skin and bones her skin just hung off of her it broke my heart. I walked up to her and held her hand and told her I loved her and had to leave, because it hurt me to see her like that. She did noteven wake up when i grabbed her hand. :(
