Paradise Found: A High School Football Team's Rise from the Ashes

I read about 100 books a year for the last thirty years. This book is in the top five. Just an unbelievable job by the players , coach , etc. great job bill on making me cry.

After finishing Paradise Found you should have two thoughts on your mind. One is that you should be thankful for having a roof over your head, even if it's a little studio apartment. Second, you hope that every player on that 2019 Paradise Bobcat football team is doing okay mentally, physically, and monetarily these days.This book really tugged at your heart. Honestly, Paradise Found is one of the most depressing books I've ever read, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Author Bill Plaschke's intent in this book was to make you experience through his style of journalism, the effects a natural disaster can have on a community. I felt every trial and tribulation of that 2019 Bobcats team and its coaching staff while reading this book. How can you not?To me the stars of this book was head coach Rick Prinz and Plaschke's writing style. Prinz is not just a football coach, that man is teacher, a man with a genuine soul, a man who cares about his football players as young men and as students not just as football players. This world and the football coaching profession needs more Rick Prinz's, trust me on that one.As for Plaschke, he gave back stories on some of the players from that 2019 team and some of its coaches, as to give you a good analysis on what it was like to hang around the 2019 Paradise High varsity football team.Pros of Paradise Found: The book did its job in letting you know how tough it is to come back from a natural disaster.Cons of Paradise Found: Plaschke should have put a chapter or afterword that appeared before the acknowledgements section on what the players and coaches form the 2019 Bobcats team were up to by 2021 (the publishing year of the book). I know Plaschke wanted to get a 360-degree analysis of the 2019 Bobcats football program, but the book didn't need a whole chapter (chapter 13) on a team cheerleader.In conclusion, Paradise Found is one of the better books you'll ever read on how a sports team tries to summon some kind of normalcy after a natural disaster just had its way with them. The book was tough to read but it was inspirational at the same time.

This is a wonderful book about a horrible tragedy. The Camp Fire obliterated the town of PARADISE,CA. on November 8, 2018. 85 people perished in the fire and residents were scattered all over. This is the story of one coach who rebuilt the high school's football team with the boys who were left from before the fire. it's the story of how they all came together again and had a successful 2019 season. The book is very well written. Iit feels like you are there with each person trying to escape the fire that is burning on both sides of the road as they are trying to escape. Bill Plaschke does an excellent job of writing this book. You won't be disappointed. Have tissues handy.

This was incredible story that I'm extremely happy to have read. It's truly remarkable what the players, coaches and community accomplished after their entire town was burned. Great story of resilience, hope and faith.

I grew up and graduated from PHS. I know a lot of the people in the book and am also a survivor of the Camp Fire.I am proud of us all, and I now look forward to rebuilding better than ever. Once a Bobcat always a Bobcat. P Town Strong.A heart touching story for sure.

I used this book for my personal enjoyment, and the knowledge about how the fire affected so many people and their families.

Amazing book. Really shows what these young kids went through. For all those that say this new generation are soft or are lacking previous generations, read this book.

Plaschke captures all the emotion of Paradise, CA through the High School Football Team. Inspiring, unforgettable and real. A great read for all!!