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Backing up the beast

Josh Anderson - Author

This interactive football story centres on readiness, a private secret and the possibility of playing when needed. Readers make choices about Scotty’s fate rather than following only one fixed path.

More about this book

"You are Scotty Reardon, the backup to Bobby 'The Beast' Brownstein, Murrow High's star senior quarterback. Your job is to be ready to play at all times, just in case you're needed. It's the day of the first game of the season and you are ready-- mostly. But there's a secret that you've never felt comfortable sharing with your coaches or teammates. It's made being a quarterback twice as hard, and could bring a fast end to your playing career. Can you make sure your secret doesn't stop you from succeeding when it's your turn to take the field?"--Provided by publisher.

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Book Analysis

At a Glance

Discover

Reader choice· ExplainedFootball· ExplainedPersonal secret· Explained

Consider

Emotional intensity

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

reader choicefootballpersonal secretprivacysharing with coaches and teammatesplaying career

Fiction

Themes in Context

Choice-led storytelling

The reader chooses Scotty’s fate as he waits to see whether he will be needed in the first game of the season.Exploratory / explanatory

How the book presents it: The choice-based structure makes the reader an active participant in how the football story unfolds.

Talk about: Which choice would you make for Scotty, and what would you want to find out before deciding?

Keeping a secret

Scotty has not felt comfortable sharing a secret with his coaches or teammates, and it makes his quarterback role harder.Provisional reading

Talk about: If Scotty considered telling someone, what might he want from that person?

Why It May Be Worth Reading

The setup gives readers a way to explore the strain of keeping something private while pursuing a role that matters to them, without requiring them to share personal experiences.

What Deserves Attention

The central secret is tied to Scotty’s comfort with coaches and teammates and may affect his playing career.

A Conversation Worth Having

If Scotty’s choices affect whether or how he shares his secret, what do you think might make each option feel easier or harder for him?

Reading Approach

Read together by pausing at choice points and inviting the reader to explain a preferred option. Let them change direction or read again to explore a different path.

Confidence & Basis

Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.

What remains unconfirmed

Choice-led storytelling: The specific choices, alternative paths and ending are not established.
Keeping a secret: The secret, the people’s reactions and the consequences of any disclosure are not established.

Backing Up the Beast - Josh Anderson - Google Books

Limited information

Checked: 1 October 2026.

Relevant to: Choice-led storytelling

Backing up the beast by Josh Anderson | Open Library