This is an effective and persuasive coming-of-age tale. It’s persuasive in part because it’s not entirely a story of triumph. Shawn McDonald struggles and rails against losses along with his team—but in the end he grows and learns and emerges stronger. Streeter shows his knack for character portrayal, his respect for his characters’ struggles. He leads his readers effectively from scene to scene, event to event, as his character faces obstacles and changes.

Read “Growth on the Gridiron,” by Kurt Streeter

Most popular articles from Nieman Storyboard