From award-winning novelist Carl Deuker comes a gritty, heart-wrenching story about high school football, self-acceptance, and the pressures that come with being the best at any cost.
12 Years
8.2" x 5.4" Paperback
320 Pages
Young Adult Fiction, Sports & Recreation

Description

About the Book

An award-winning author explores the dark corners of the heart of a young football player as he struggles for success, in this novel that tackles the issues surrounding the player's decision to cross the line.

Book Synopsis

From award-winning novelist Carl Deuker comes a gritty, heart-wrenching story about high school football, self-acceptance, and the pressures that come with being the best at any cost.

"Look, Mick," he said, "you're going to find out from somebody in the gym, so you might as well find out from me. Those supplements you're taking? They might get you a little bigger, but just a little. If you're after serious results, there's other stuff that produces better results much faster, stuff that a lot of guys in the gym use." "What other stuff?" "You know what I'm talking about--gym candy."

Running back Mick Johnson has dreams: dreams of cutting back, finding the hole, breaking into the open, and running free with nothing but green grass ahead. He has dreams of winning and of being the best. But football is a cruel sport. It requires power, grace, speed, quickness, and knowledge of the game. It takes luck, too. One crazy bounce can turn a likely victory into sudden defeat. What elite athlete wouldn't look for an edge? A way to make him bigger, stronger, faster?

This novel explores the dark corners of the heart of a young football player as he struggles for success under the always glaring--and often unforgiving--stadium lights.

Review Quotes

"Deuker skillfully complements a sobering message with plenty of exciting on-field action...[A] solid addition to the sports fiction shelf."--Booklist, 9/1/07 Booklist, ALA

"Deuker continues his run as premier author of provocative YA sports novels...[kick] off the football season with this riveting title..." The Bulletin 9/2007

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Deuker...knows his stuff...This is a solid sports tale with a valuable message."--KLIATT September 2007 KLIATT

"[A] great addition to both school and public libraries and an eye-opening recommendation to all budding athletes."--VOYA October 2007 VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)

"Deuker realistically portrays the paranoia, acne, and emotional roller-coaster...of steroid use." SLJ 10/2007 School Library Journal

Specifications

Dimensions (Overall): 8.2 Inches (H) x 5.4 Inches (W) x .9 Inches (D)

Weight: .6 Pounds

Suggested Age: 12 Years

Number of Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Sub-Genre: Sports & Recreation

Publisher: Clarion Books

Format: Paperback

Author: Carl Deuker

Language: English

Street Date: September 1, 2008

TCIN: 11324741

UPC: 9780547076317

Item Number (DPCI): 248-00-2056

Origin: Made in the USA or Imported

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Shipping & Returns

Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.9 inches length x 5.4 inches width x 8.2 inches height

Estimated ship weight: 0.6 pounds

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