Cover Up

Cover Up follows young sports reporter Stevie Thomas at the Super Bowl, where he works for both the Washington Herald and CBS Sports. After being replaced on his TV show by a singer, the fourteen-year-old pursues his journalism career at one of sports' biggest events. His former co-host Susan Carol Anderson discovers evidence of possible doping violations by key players in the championship game. The two teenage reporters must navigate the complex world of professional football journalism while investigating a potential scandal. The story tracks their investigation through Super Bowl week in Indianapolis, where they encounter team officials, players, and medical personnel. Their pursuit of the truth tests their journalistic skills, their friendship, and their understanding of ethics in sports. The novel examines themes of integrity in professional sports and the challenges faced by journalists who must balance the public's right to know against powerful institutional forces. It raises questions about the relationship between truth and consequences in high-stakes athletics.

Readers describe this young adult sports mystery as an engaging addition to the Last Shot series, though not as strong as the first book. What readers liked: - Fast-paced plot keeps young readers interested - Relatable teenage protagonists - Behind-the-scenes details of sports journalism - Educational elements about journalism ethics What readers disliked: - More predictable than previous books in series - Some found the hockey focus less compelling than basketball - Several reviewers noted unrealistic dialogue - Multiple readers mentioned "forced" plot elements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (273 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) Sample reader comments: "My 12-year-old son couldn't put it down" - Amazon reviewer "The mystery aspect feels rushed compared to Last Shot" - Goodreads reviewer "Great for teaching kids about sports writing" - LibraryThing reviewer "Characters feel less developed than in earlier books" - Goodreads reviewer

Last Shot by John Feinstein A teenage reporter uncovers corruption at the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament.

Travel Team by Mike Lupica A middle school basketball player starts his own team after being cut from the school squad.

Box Out by John Coy A high school sophomore faces pressure from his basketball coach to pray before games and must navigate sports, religion, and personal beliefs.

Heat by Mike Lupica A young Cuban immigrant fights to save his Little League baseball career when his age comes into question.

The Final Four by Paul Volponi Four basketball players' stories intersect during March Madness as they compete for the national championship.

🏈 The Indianapolis Colts hosted their first Super Bowl in 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium, transforming the city into a massive entertainment destination with a 10-day festival leading up to the game. 📚 John Feinstein has written over 35 books, and his first work "A Season on the Brink" became the bestselling sports book of all time when it was published in 1986. 🎯 The Sports Beat series, which includes "Cover Up," was inspired by Feinstein's own experiences as a young sports reporter for The Washington Post in the 1970s. 🏆 The Super Bowl is consistently the most-watched television broadcast in the United States, with the 2015 game attracting over 114 million viewers. 📰 Young sports journalists like the book's protagonists are increasingly common in real life, with many high schools and colleges now operating their own sports media programs.