This book was never what I expected. I wasn't sure at first about all the football but I really liked the main character and really wanted to know what happened next for him. Really good coming of age figuring out who you are story.

In this book we follow a young man named Bucky through his trials and tribulations of being deported from the country he calls home to the country in which he was born. "The All-American" throws a lot at Bucky, and as a reader I enjoyed the journey. At first immature and hot-tempered, Bucky grows up and finds ways to make the most out of the situations he finds himself in. I think many people will be able to relate to Bucky, all in different ways. If anyone has ever felt like an "other," I would recommend picking this up. Some moments of dialogue felt a little clunky and unnatural, but aside from that I think this book will have a long life ahead.

The All-American is a great debut novel from Joe Milan Jr. I found the way he explored the character through writing that was accurate to how he would talk a really strong way to get into this book. It was a page turner, and I couldn't put it down. I found the plot unpredictable, but also very believable. Looking forward to what come nexts from Milan Jr.!