47 pages • 1 hour read
Tim GreenUnstoppable
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 26-50Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapters 26-30 Summary
Whenever Harrison plays football, he discovers a deep-seated well of anger that he channels into his performance on the field. He proves to be a formidable player, but his intense approach to the game causes several players, including Leo, to be sidelined due to injuries. After practice, he feels a mixture of pride and exhaustion and initially declines an invitation from his teammate, Justin, to join the other boys at Subway, but he eventually agrees when Justin insists on treating him. At Subway, Harrison is excited to learn that he can earn money by mowing lawns. However, the conversation takes a serious turn when he unintentionally reveals the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of his previous foster father, creating a tense and awkward moment among his peers.
Later, Coach Kelly reassures Harrison that injuries during practice are just part of the game. He also offers Harrison a cell phone to further welcome him into his new family. As time goes on, tension escalates after Leo’s father, who works for the District Attorney, seeks to meet with Coach Kelly and complains of a rule violation on Harrison’s part, threatening Harrison’s position on the team. Harrison’s foster mother, Jennifer, is a skilled lawyer and uses a technicality regarding Harrison’s football gear to argue that he wasn’t in full practice gear and therefore was not violating the rules.
Chapters 31-35 Summary
At school, Harrison gets into a confrontation with Mrs. Zebolt and Leo. Harrison insists on being called by his proper name. When Mrs. Zebolt continues calling him Harry and then threateningly wields a wooden ruler, he breaks it. He is sent to the principal’s office, and his foster mother, Jennifer, intervenes and confronts the school principal, Mr. Fisk, about the poor treatment that Harrison received from Mrs. Zebolt. She demands a full investigation into the teacher’s threatening behavior and insists on an apology from Mrs. Zebolt, then demands that Harrison be transferred to another math class.
Despite the stares and whispers he gets from many classmates, he finds an ally in Becky Smart, who expresses genuine interest and offers her friendship. On the football front, Coach Kelly, aware of Harrison’s ongoing issues and wanting to safeguard the boy’s place on the team, decides to keep him out of contact drills as a precautionary measure due to the pending resolution of the school incident. Although Harrison is sidelined for the game against East Manfield, Coach Kelly reassures him of his important role in future games.
Chapters 36-40 Summary
Following a victorious football game, Harrison and Coach Kelly return home to a celebratory dinner prepared by Jennifer. The next day, Harrison assists Justin with lawn mowing at Dr. Smart’s house, hoping for a glimpse of Becky. Their efficient teamwork earns praise from Dr. Smart, and Becky’s thoughtful gesture of bringing them Gatorade highlights their growing camaraderie.
Harrison’s integration into his new life continues to deepen as he experiences the rituals of his foster family, including attending church and engaging in community service. Despite the happiness of these moments, Harrison is haunted by a nagging feeling that these good things won’t last.
The following days bring mixed emotions for Harrison. A call from Mrs. Godfrey reassures him that he deserves the good in his life, contrasting with his previous hardships. School becomes slightly more bearable as Harrison learns to navigate social dynamics, particularly with Leo Howard. Football practice allows him to channel his energy and aggression, earning him respect and a sense of belonging on the team.
The approaching Fall Ball introduces new problems. Encouraged by Justin to ask Becky to the dance, Harrison is anxious and hesitant; the feelings are compounded by a misunderstanding fueled by Dr. Smart’s protective concern for his daughter. This misunderstanding peaks when Harrison, misinformed about Becky’s intentions and under the impression she would reject him due to her father’s interference, confronts Becky. In a moment of frustration and embarrassment, he harshly tells her that he’s not going to be asking her to the dance, and that she doesn’t have to sit by him at lunch anymore, causing them both hurt and confusion. As he returns to the refuge of football practice, he sees Becky watching from a distance.
Chapters 41-45 Summary
As Harrison habitually unleashes his pent-up anger during football practice and overpowers his teammates with aggressive plays, some teammates admire his skill, and others, like Justin, express concern over his overwhelming intensity. Despite this setback, Coach Kelly encourages Harrison to maintain his ferocious playing style, hinting at a potential future in the NFL. Off the field, Harrison’s relationship with Justin deepens as they share personal struggles. Harrison reveals his foster care situation with Coach Kelly and Jennifer, and Justin shares details of his life with his grandmother and talks about the absence of his parents.
On Harrison’s first game day, pressure runs high as the Brookton High School team faces Clayborn Park in a crucial match. Despite the team’s initial struggles and Coach Kelly’s reluctance to use Harrison, the tide turns when Harrison is finally put into the game. His runs lead to touchdowns and a two-point conversion, pushing Brookton into a lead against Clayborn Park. Harrison’s performance draws awe from teammates and spectators alike.
Chapters 46-50 Summary
Despite Harrison’s success in the game, he continues to feel insecure about his place in the world. During a church service, he is made to feel even more uncomfortable when the minister indirectly references his journey and achievements and causes him to reflect on his past and current life. Meanwhile, he continues to build his friendship with Becky, who genuinely cares for Harrison. Perceiving this budding relationship, Coach Kelly advises caution.
One day, Jennifer asks Harrison to consider calling her “Mom” (64), and Harrison soon does so. As the football season progresses, Harrison’s success on the field continues, earning him the nickname Unstoppable. One day, during a scrimmage, Leo Howard deliberately injures Harrison, who brushes off the incident and claims to be fine. However, Harrison continues to feel twinges of pain in his knee.
Chapters 26-50 Analysis
This section of the novel dives further into Harrison’s transformative journey both on and off the field, interweaving his personal development with his burgeoning passion for football. Throughout Harrison’s escapades, Green sketches a vivid portrayal of a boy endeavoring to transcend his past history and seize his emergent capabilities and ambitions. As Harrison adjusts to his new life, he encounters challenges and support in unexpected forms, but throughout his various trials, his talent in football becomes a beacon of hope and a source of conflict, illustrating his Resilience in the Face of Adversity. In Chapter 26, football transcends its role as simply a sport when the author recasts the game as a sanctuary that liberates Harrison from his turbulent history. As the narrative states, “Harrison had never before felt so much joy for such a long period of time, and when […] Coach called them in to wrap up practice, Harrison didn't want it to end. […] He was bigger and faster than everyone. He was like a man among boys” (49) This excerpt embodies the joy and contentment that Harrison finds in football, even as his past experiences mark him as someone who has already overcome far more obstacles than his teammates have ever had to face.
In this segment of the narrative, the theme of The Transformative Power of Mentorship radiates from the growing connection between Harrison and Coach Kelly, for the coach makes it a point to protect Harrison from those would try to bully and antagonize him. As Coach Kelly bracingly tells Harrison, “Don’t worry about Leo Howard, or his father. I’ll handle them” (55), his reassurance epitomizes the new care and stability that characterizes Harrison’s world. This statement delineates the safeguarding dynamic that Coach Kelly constructs, which proves pivotal for Harrison’s maturation and long-term progress. However, amid the excitement and success, tension simmers between Harrison and Coach Kelly. Coach’s decision to initially keep Harrison on the sidelines, and then his intense reaction to Harrison’s successful plays, create a complex dynamic between the coach and his foster son. This emotional complexity adds depth to their relationship, revealing the high stakes involved in their shared journey in football and life.
Green accentuates the theme of Finding Identity and Belonging Amidst Change by depicting Harrison’s assertion of his persona in daunting circumstances. A defining moment occurs in Chapter 31, as Harrison confronts a challenge at his new school when his math instructor, Mrs. Zebolt, offhandedly calls him “Harry”—a nickname he can’t stand. Harrison’s comeback, that his name is Harrison, is more than just stating a preference—it represents his stand for identity and esteem against situations that seem to continually work to make him believe he’s less than what he is. Harrison's insistence on being addressed correctly despite the risk of punishment reflects his strong character and quest for dignity. This scene reveals his determination to stand up for himself and earn respect in a new and challenging setting.
Green portrays Harrison’s varied experiences—highlighting both his vulnerabilities and strengths—using several literary devices. In Chapter 35, for instance, the author foreshadows upcoming challenges. Coach Kelly decides to keep Harrison out of contact drills—a decision that not only builds anticipation for the reader but also underscores the protective nature of Harrison’s relationship with his coach, setting the stage for future developments in the plot. Through these methods, Green intricately weaves Harrison’s path, showing how challenges and support are interwoven to shape his journey. After an exceptional performance in a game where he scores multiple touchdowns, Harrison is praised by Coach Kelly, who is astonished by his foster son’s talent. Despite initial misunderstandings, Coach Kelly’s pride in Harrison’s achievements is evident. This victory on the field is a significant turning point for Harrison, who starts to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance, not just within his team, but also in his new family with Coach Kelly and Jennifer. This part of the story therefore charts Harrison’s tale of personal metamorphosis, which is interlaced with his deepening love for football. Through a blend of resilience, mentorship, and self-discovery, Green crafts a multidimensional portrait of Harrison. Once shackled by his past, the boy now finds solace and strength on the football field, marking his rise as a symbol of hope and liberation.
