Ralph Henry Barbour 
Purple Pennant 

The Purple Pennant is a novel written by Ralph Henry Barbour about a group of students at a fictional New England boarding school called Hillton. The story follows the lives of two main characters, Phil Clinton and Tom Percival, as they navigate the challenges of high school and strive to excel both academically and athletically. Phil is a talented football player who dreams of winning a championship for Hillton. However, he faces several obstacles, including a strained relationship with his father and a rival player who is determined to beat him on the field. Meanwhile, Tom is a hardworking student who struggles to balance his studies with his desire to join the football team. He also falls in love with a girl named Elaine, who is dating Phil. As the football season progresses, tensions rise between the two friends and their teammates. The story culminates in a thrilling championship game, in which Hillton faces off against their archrival, Broadwood. Along the way, the characters learn important lessons about teamwork, leadership, and the true meaning of success. "The Purple Pennant" is a classic coming-of-age story that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and perseverance. Barbour’s writing is engaging and vivid, capturing the excitement and intensity of high school sports and the complex relationships that develop between students. The novel offers a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era and will appeal to readers who enjoy sports fiction and stories about the challenges of adolescence.