
The Underdogs
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $18.00
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Kirby Heyborne
-
By:
-
Mike Lupica
About this listen
Will Tyler can fly on a football field. He may not be the biggest running back around, but no one can touch him when it comes to hitting the hole and finding the end zone. And no one can match his love of the game. When Will has a football in hand, he may as well be flying for real because life can't touch him - his dad isn't so defeated, his town isn't so poor, and everyone has something to cheer for. All of which does him no good if the football season is canceled. With no funding for things like uniforms and a cared-for playing field, with seemingly every other family moving to find jobs, there simply isn't enough money or players for a season. Unless one kid can rally an entire town and give everyone a reason to believe.
For fans of his best-selling novels Travel Team and Million-Dollar Throw, Mike Lupica delivers a feel-good sports story that will have readers cheering where they sit.
©2011 Mike Lupica (P)2011 PenguinListeners also enjoyed...
-
Football Genius
- By: Tim Green
- Narrated by: Tim Green
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Tory White's mom gets a job with the Atlanta Falcons, Tory demonstrates his uncanny ability to call football plays before they happen. With Troy's genius, the Falcons could be unstoppable-- if only the coaches would take him seriously!
-
-
pretty engrossing
- By Pournima Navalkele on 01-20-24
By: Tim Green
-
Fantasy League
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
12-year-old Charlie is a fantasy football guru. He may be just a bench warmer for his school's football team, but when it comes to knowing and loving the game, he's first-string. He even becomes a celebrity when his podcast gets noticed by a sports radio host, who plays Charlie's fantasy picks for all of Los Angeles to hear. Soon Charlie befriends the elderly owner of the L.A. Bulldogs - a fictional NFL team - and convinces him to take a chance on an aging quarterback.
-
-
Great read!
- By Amy M. on 01-10-17
By: Mike Lupica
-
All American Boys
- By: Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely
- Narrated by: Guy Lockard, Keith Nobbs
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A bag of chips. That's all 16-year-old Rashad is looking for at the corner bodega. What he finds instead is a fist-happy cop, Paul Galluzzo, who mistakes Rashad for a shoplifter, mistakes Rashad's pleadings that he's stolen nothing for belligerence, mistakes Rashad's resistance to leave the bodega as resisting arrest, mistakes Rashad's every flinch at every punch the cop throws as further resistance and refusal to STAY STILL as ordered.
-
-
Required Reading
- By J. E. Abel on 09-18-16
By: Jason Reynolds, and others
-
QB 1
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Nicolas Tecosky
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jake Cullen is a freshman quarterback playing high school football in the high-pressure land of Friday Night Lights (Texas). He is also the brother of Wyatt Cullen, who quarterbacked his team to the Texas State Championship last season - not to mention the son of former NFL quarterback and local legend, Troy Cullen. To be a Cullen in Texas is to be royalty…and a quarterback. All of which leaves 14-year-old Jake in a Texas-sized shadow, a tall order for any boy, especially one who's merely a freshman.
-
-
good
- By Candy on 02-07-20
By: Mike Lupica
-
Million-Dollar Throw
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Brick
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Award-winning journalist and ESPN personality Mike Lupica crafts a moving tale of perseverance, loyalty, and of the hope that rides on one pressure-packed football toss. If 13-year-old Nate Brodie can throw a football through a small target at a Patriots game, he will win a million dollars. Since his dad just lost his job, Nate welcomes the opportunity at first.
-
-
Best book ever!!!
- By kelly on 03-13-15
By: Mike Lupica
-
Travel Team
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
- Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Twelve-year-old Danny Walker may be the smallest kid on the basketball court, but don't tell him that. Because no one plays with more heart or court sense. But none of that matters when he is cut from his local travel team, the very same team his father led to national prominence as a boy. Danny's father knows Danny isn't the only kid who was cut for the wrong reason, and together, this washed-up former player and a bunch of never-say-die kids prove that the heart simply cannot be measured.
-
-
This book rocks!
- By Braxton on 02-09-06
By: Mike Lupica
-
Football Genius
- By: Tim Green
- Narrated by: Tim Green
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Tory White's mom gets a job with the Atlanta Falcons, Tory demonstrates his uncanny ability to call football plays before they happen. With Troy's genius, the Falcons could be unstoppable-- if only the coaches would take him seriously!
-
-
pretty engrossing
- By Pournima Navalkele on 01-20-24
By: Tim Green
-
Fantasy League
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
12-year-old Charlie is a fantasy football guru. He may be just a bench warmer for his school's football team, but when it comes to knowing and loving the game, he's first-string. He even becomes a celebrity when his podcast gets noticed by a sports radio host, who plays Charlie's fantasy picks for all of Los Angeles to hear. Soon Charlie befriends the elderly owner of the L.A. Bulldogs - a fictional NFL team - and convinces him to take a chance on an aging quarterback.
-
-
Great read!
- By Amy M. on 01-10-17
By: Mike Lupica
-
All American Boys
- By: Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely
- Narrated by: Guy Lockard, Keith Nobbs
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A bag of chips. That's all 16-year-old Rashad is looking for at the corner bodega. What he finds instead is a fist-happy cop, Paul Galluzzo, who mistakes Rashad for a shoplifter, mistakes Rashad's pleadings that he's stolen nothing for belligerence, mistakes Rashad's resistance to leave the bodega as resisting arrest, mistakes Rashad's every flinch at every punch the cop throws as further resistance and refusal to STAY STILL as ordered.
-
-
Required Reading
- By J. E. Abel on 09-18-16
By: Jason Reynolds, and others
-
QB 1
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Nicolas Tecosky
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jake Cullen is a freshman quarterback playing high school football in the high-pressure land of Friday Night Lights (Texas). He is also the brother of Wyatt Cullen, who quarterbacked his team to the Texas State Championship last season - not to mention the son of former NFL quarterback and local legend, Troy Cullen. To be a Cullen in Texas is to be royalty…and a quarterback. All of which leaves 14-year-old Jake in a Texas-sized shadow, a tall order for any boy, especially one who's merely a freshman.
-
-
good
- By Candy on 02-07-20
By: Mike Lupica
-
Million-Dollar Throw
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Brick
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Award-winning journalist and ESPN personality Mike Lupica crafts a moving tale of perseverance, loyalty, and of the hope that rides on one pressure-packed football toss. If 13-year-old Nate Brodie can throw a football through a small target at a Patriots game, he will win a million dollars. Since his dad just lost his job, Nate welcomes the opportunity at first.
-
-
Best book ever!!!
- By kelly on 03-13-15
By: Mike Lupica
-
Travel Team
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
- Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Twelve-year-old Danny Walker may be the smallest kid on the basketball court, but don't tell him that. Because no one plays with more heart or court sense. But none of that matters when he is cut from his local travel team, the very same team his father led to national prominence as a boy. Danny's father knows Danny isn't the only kid who was cut for the wrong reason, and together, this washed-up former player and a bunch of never-say-die kids prove that the heart simply cannot be measured.
-
-
This book rocks!
- By Braxton on 02-09-06
By: Mike Lupica
-
Lone Stars
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte
- Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Clay is a quarterback's dream. When he zips across the field, arms outstretched, waiting for the ball to sail into his hands, there's no denying him the catch. Like most Texans, Clay is never more at home than when playing football. And his coach, a former star player for the Dallas Cowboys, is just like a second father. But as the football season kicks off, Clay begins to notice some odd behavior from his coach....
-
-
How Clay acted as coach was his family
- By sabby on 05-16-24
By: Mike Lupica
-
Strike Zone
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Anthony Rey Perez
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Twelve-year-old star Little League pitcher Nick Garcia has a dream. Several in fact. He dreams he'll win this season's MVP and the chance to throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium. He dreams he'll meet his hero, Yankees' pitcher Michael Arroyo. He dreams they'll find a cure for Lupus so he sister won't have to suffer. But mostly, he dreams one day his family can stop living in fear of the government. For one kid, it's almost too much to bear.
-
-
Nick is a amazing 12 year old
- By Kristy Cozzetti on 03-04-25
By: Mike Lupica
-
Heat
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Paolo Andino
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Twelve-year-old Michael Arroyo lives in the shadows of Yankee Stadium, home of his heroes, but a place that might as well be on a different continent since he can't afford to see the inside. He also lives in the shadows of his Bronx neighborhood, hiding from the bill collectors and the officials who would separate him from his 17-year-old brother if they knew the two boys were living on their own. Baseball is Michael's only salvation.
-
-
Heat
- By bernardo roman on 08-14-15
By: Mike Lupica
-
The Big Field
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Christopher Evan Welch
- Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hutch has always played shortstop. His idol Derek Jeter, plays the position, and more importantly, so did his father. But when a better shortstop joins the team, Hutch must move to second base. With his father's shadow looming and the championship on the line, Hutch will need to make the adjustment quickly.
-
-
My kids were hooked!
- By kristin a. on 08-11-24
By: Mike Lupica
-
Fast Break
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
- Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Forced to live on his own after his mom dies and her boyfriend abandons him, 12-year-old Jayson does whatever it takes to get by. He will do anything to avoid the foster care system. Besides, his real home has always been the beat-up basketball court behind the projects in the North Carolina hills, and his family has always been his friends and teammates. He manages to get away with his deception until the day he gets caught stealing a new pair of basketball sneakers. Game over. Within a day a social worker places him with a family from the other side of town, the Lawtons.
-
-
Read this
- By Amazon Customer on 11-30-17
By: Mike Lupica
-
Game Changers (Game Changers, Book 1)
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Fred Berman
- Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times best-selling author Mike Lupica scores a touchdown with his new middle-grade sports series!Ben McBain is every football team's dream player. He's a jack-of-all-trades guy that can handle almost any position. When the game is on the line, Ben's number is the one being called for the final play. But Ben wants to be the starting quarterback and the one thing standing in his way is the coach's son.Shawn O'Brien looks the part.
-
-
Great Story for Spots Players!!
- By Ms. A on 09-03-24
By: Mike Lupica
-
Triple Threat
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Emily Ellet
- Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When 12-year-old Alex makes up her mind to join her middle school's football team, she doesn't expect it to be easy. But she also never anticipated she'd be met with scorn and derision from her exclusively male teammates. Football has always been a source of happiness for Alex. She and her single father never miss a Steelers game on TV, and Alex knows she has a talent for throwing the perfect spiral. But the guys suck the joy right out of the game for Alex - going out of their way to trip her up during tryouts and teaming up against her just to watch her fail.
-
-
Good listen
- By Nic S on 01-17-24
By: Mike Lupica
-
The Only Game
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Keith Nobbs
- Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jack Callahan is the star of his baseball team and sixth grade is supposed to be his year. Undefeated season. Records shattered. Little League World Series. The works. That is, until he up and quits. Jack's best friend Gus can't understand how Jack could leave a game that means more to them than anything else. But Jack is done. It's a year of change.
-
-
Idk
- By Stormwalker900 on 01-27-25
By: Mike Lupica
-
True Legend
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There's a reason teammates call him "True". Because for basketball phenom Drew Robinson, there is nothing more true than his talent on the court. It's the kind that comes along once in a generation and is loaded with perks - and with problems. Before long, True buys in to his own hype, much to the chagrin of his mother, who wants to keep her boy's head grounded - and suddenly trouble has a way of finding him. That is, until a washed-up former playground legend steps back onto the court....
-
-
Great for any basketball lovers.
- By J Shelman on 03-03-15
By: Mike Lupica
-
The Batboy
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Lucien Dodge
- Length: 4 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is every baseball kid’s dream summer job: batboy for your hometown Major League team. Yet for 14 year-old Brian, the job means more than just the chance to hang around his idols. Baseball was the job his father loved so much, in the end he couldn’t leave it. Yet he could leave his family. Now Brian sees the job as the way to win back his father.There is no winning back some people, though
-
-
Home run
- By Anonymous User on 02-17-25
By: Mike Lupica
-
Last Man Out
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Ryan Gesell
- Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the Brighton Bears suit up on game day, 12-year-old Tommy Gallagher is the toughest kid on the football field. And the bravest. After all, his father Patrick is a Boston firefighter - one of Boston's bravest. Tommy's dad taught him everything he knows about football - and life. Yet even Tommy isn't strong enough for what happens when the sirens ring and, for the first time, they're racing away from the fire. "First man in; last man out" had always been his dad's motto, yet he never said anything about leaving in an ambulance.
-
-
Last man out
- By Anonymous User on 09-09-20
By: Mike Lupica
-
Miracle on 49th Street
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Michael Santopietro
- Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Josh Cameron has it all: a World Championship ring with the Boston Celtics, an MVP award, a clean-cut image, and the adoration of millions. What he doesn't have is family -- until the day 12-year-old smart aleck Molly Parker confronts him in a parking lot and claims to be his daughter, the only daughter of Jen Parker, Josh's college sweetheart and the still the only girl he's ever loved. Trouble is, Jen Parker died last year, and now Molly has tracked down the father she never knew.
-
-
perfect!! Just what i love!!
- By Stacey on 05-12-10
By: Mike Lupica
Critic reviews
“There's plenty of action for sports fans, and readers will root for Will and his teammates till the very last page.” (School Library Journal)
“[F]ootball fans will...respond to the detailed and exciting game action once the season gets rolling and find inspiration in Will and his teammates' tenacity.” (Publisher’s Weekly)
“Will's ingenuity and loyalty are encouraging, causing readers to want to cheer him on as he makes his dream come true.” (VOYA)
What listeners say about The Underdogs
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Julie Rojas
- 04-18-18
Very good book about football. Lots of details.
The book was very good. Even though I am a soccer fan, I liked the motivation that it portrayed. Loved it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Blaine
- 03-21-24
Pp
Ppppppppppppppppppppppppp o p p p p p p p p p. Pp. pp p. P p p p p p p p p p p p p p up down in my gut
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Glenn
- 04-15-21
Chicken Soup for the Sports Fan's Soul
This book is a wonderful feel-good story. The characters are loveable , the story is wonderful. It brought a smile to my face, and isn't that what we are here for? I highly recommend!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Reginald Mcmullen
- 10-23-19
Amazing story line and great characters
It was amazing it is a great book with an even better story line. The characters felt so real and the conflict just felt as real as the characters. Will the main character is a great kid who I think we can learn something from him .... to always look for the hail mary pass when things look tough.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Trey
- 12-23-18
BEST FOOTBALL BOOK EVER
Now I started reading QB1 and it was amazing now I’m hooked can’t stop listening/reading these
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
- Ryan Sosa
- 05-24-17
Good
It was very good my favorite book in the world. I am a football fan. Amazing book🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Virginia G. Pratt
- 06-25-15
A great story- about what it means to be a winner
Lupica keeps this story moving at great pace, and the sports sequences read like the best of play-by-play and color announcing. The greatest strength is in the characters Lupica builds and makes the reader believe in and care about. Very enjoyable story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- T
- 12-21-23
Will
I liked how they won the chip with only 10 players and it was really cool
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- C. Garvey
- 01-04-24
Great book recommend to everyone you will love it
Ages 9 to 14 would love it it’s a great book if you don’t read you are missing out please read it
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!