For decades, Gordon Korman has achieved what many teachers, librarians, and frustrated parents consider the ultimate challenge: getting boys to read books. Korman will continue to draw in the dudes with his newest book, but Pop is much more than a boy-friendly lark: the novel is frank and gutsy, and possesses an ending that will, for lack of a better term, blow your mind.

When Marcus Jordan moves to a new town, he is bent on making his high school’s football team. He does so thanks to the help of a mysterious middle-aged stranger he encounters in a local park and starts practising with. Marcus is shocked to find out that the wacky, highly skilled stranger is none other than Charlie Popovich, a (fictional) retired NFL linebacker. Nicknamed the “King of Pop” for his intensely physical game play, Charlie offers Marcus some first-class tutelage on tackling. But as Marcus spends more time with the unpredictable athlete, he comes to realize that Charlie suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and is deteriorating faster than anyone – even Charlie’s family – is willing to admit.

The connection between sports concussions and Alzheimer’s is a controversial one, but Korman tackles the subject fearlessly and honestly. Some of the characters have trouble accepting Charlie’s illness, but Korman doesn’t falter in asserting a causal relationship between Charlie’s past injuries and his present mental degeneration. The portrayal of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s is entirely convincing – Charlie experiences erratic moments of lucidity, confusion, and agitation. Amidst the various struggles associated with Charlie’s illness, Korman leaves plenty of room for his trademark humour and romance, as well as some stellar rock ’em, sock ’em football scenes that will captivate even pigskin neophytes.

Readers may think they know how Pop will end, but Korman swoops in with a jaw-dropping surprise play. The final pages are satisfying, shocking, and guaranteed to get readers talking – and, one hopes, excited about reading.