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Friday Night Lights Sparknotes

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Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and A Dream is a 1990 non-fiction novel wrote by H.G. Bissinger. The story chronicles the pressures and expectations of the Permian Panthers football team in socially divided Odessa, Texas. Throughout the story, challenges are presented with each of the protagonists: James “Boobie” Miles, Mike Winchell, Don Billingsley, Gary Gaines, Brian Chavez, and Ivory Christian. The book begins with the author talking about his motivation to write the book. Also the author discusses the importance of Permian’s game against Midland Lee High School (their arch-rivals). Tensions were rising greatly, and by the end of the game, star tailback Boobie Miles quits the team and Permian lost 22-21, leaving them in a three-way tie, with only two spots open in the 5A playoffs.
The initial chapters discuss the town of Odessa and its history, unique facts, its people, etc. One of the major topics discussed is the demographics of the town’s two high schools: Odessa and Permian high school. Also, other social issues such as crime rate, murder rate, and segregation (which is also dedicated to chapter five). Multiple chapters in the book discussed in depth about characters Boobie Miles, Mike Winchell, and Ivory Christian. Each of these players had varying backgrounds, and motivations about why they played football. These chapters also discuss the lives of players off of the field, and how the academics at Permian were backseat to their powerhouse football team.

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