1. By: Carl Deuker Published by: Houghton Mifflin Published: 2010

2. Introduction  The setting is at Abraham Lincoln High School in Seattle, Washington.  Mitch is assigned the job of sports writer for the school newspaper by Alyssa since it is the part that all the students are interested in.  When at practice, Mitch notices a new kid named Angel Marichal throwing bullet passes to one of his buddies.  At first Mitch thinks that Angel in ineligible but then realizes that the story is much bigger.

3. Protagonist and Antagonist  The protagonist is Daniel “Mitch” True.  He is a short and stubby kid that goes to Lincoln High.  He has blonde hair and is very white.  He is brave and determined.  The antagonist is Angel Marichal.  He is very athletic and in his early 20’s.  He is very strong and can throw the ball like a pro.

4. Protagonist and Antagonist Mitch True Angel Marichal

5. Central Conflict  Angel Marichal,Coach McNulty, Mitch True and, Kimi Yon are involved in the central conflict.  Mitch and Kimi think that Angel is way to old to be in high school, and they think that McNulty is cheating.  Is Angel a cop trying to bring down drug dealers, or is he cheating with McNulty so Mcnulty can win the championship and go coach at a college.

6. Minor Characters  Coach McNulty is the head football coach at Lincoln high school.  Mitch thinks that McNulty is cheating so he can get a job at college since his star quarterback is leaving.  McNulty is very greedy and loves winning.  He is very conniving and sneaky throughout the book.  Kimi Yon is Mitch’s photographer for the school paper.  She helps Mitch figure out what is up with McNulty and Angel.  She is smart and wants to go to a Ivy league school.

7. Minor Characters  Alyssa is the chief editor of the school newspaper.  She assigns Mitch with sports reporter because she thinks that Mitch is the best writer, and the students only read the sports section.  If she did not assign him sports reporter nobody would have ever tried to figure out what was happening with McNulty and Angel. Coach McNulty Alyssa Kimi Yon

8. What Critics Said?  Young adult book reviews says that this book is about a boy Mitch who tries to investigate the suspicious player that plays at Lincoln High. It also says that Carl Deuker writes excellent book on sport stories for high school students. http://youngadultbookreviews.com/2010/09/23/payback -time-by-carl-deuker/ http://youngadultbookreviews.com/2010/09/23/payback -time-by-carl-deuker/  Story snoops says that is about a high school student named Mitch that is overweight investigates a suspicious football player that goes to Lincoln High School. http://www.storysnoops.com/detail.php?id=878http://www.storysnoops.com/detail.php?id=878