Scan barcode
mommyre's review against another edition
3.0
It was an okay book. I don't see any grand reason for it being banned. The language was harsh, but it wasn't unreasonable given the point of the story.
bsmorris's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite young adult authors, Chris Crutcher writes realistic stories about realistic people with realistic problems. He always writes intelligently and with a sense of humor while simultaneously depicting his characters sympathetically. This collection of short stories is great for people who enjoy realistic fiction, but don't want to read a longer book. Short stories are also great for when you don't have time for a whole novel - you can read a story in one sitting, and if you don't happen to get back to the book for some time, you haven't forgotten all the details that will help you pick it up again.
Readers who have already read some of Crutcher's work will probably recognize characters and settings, as he tends to set his stories in the same geographical area.
Readers who have already read some of Crutcher's work will probably recognize characters and settings, as he tends to set his stories in the same geographical area.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of short stories are often found on the ALA challenged book list. It has been challenged because it has a story that has an 18 year old boy befriending a man with AIDS, because it discusses homosexuality and because of its language. Chris Crutcher, though, is an expert at what he does-writing about reality. He said, "They think kids should not be exposed in print to what they are exposed in their lives. But I believe what I believe, so I write my stories." (Crutcher even has a whole section on censorship on his website: http://www.chriscrutcher.com/content/blo... ) I, personally, find it spectacular that such a contemporary set of short stories was published in 1991!
Throughout these 6 stories we follow 6 different young adult males that are facing some daunting situations. Angus doesn't fit in and neither does his family, Johnny has a tough father, Petey was forced into facing a girl at a wrestling match, Lionel lost his family in a boating accident and is now an orphan, Telephone Man is a racist that may have found the light, and Louie is a boy faced with his own prejudice. Crutcher, through these fantastic short stories, takes us through these situations with grace and realism.
Discussion questions I made for a book challenge I competed in:
Basic book questions
*Some of the short stories had characters from some of Crutcher's other novels, did you feel that made it hard to connect to the characters and understand their stories?
*Did you feel the prefaces at the beginning of each story were helpful or hurtful?
*Crutcher often intertwines sports into his stories- do you think that is an effective way of introducing these hard topics? Do you think girls would find this novel as friendly as boys would?
Thought Provoking Hard Questions
*Crutcher says, "We are all bigots. All of us prejudge people on some basis, be it race, sexual preference, height, age or any scores of categories we use to make ourselves seem superior when we are, in fact, feeling inferior." Do you agree?
*Do you agree with parents in Iowa who did not want their 8th graders exposed to this novel? What age do you feel it is appropriate for?
*This book was published in 1991, way before there was mainstream LGBT young adult literature. Now this book is not purely LBGT, but includes stories that could be categorized as such. How do you think it was accepted at the time of publication?
Throughout these 6 stories we follow 6 different young adult males that are facing some daunting situations. Angus doesn't fit in and neither does his family, Johnny has a tough father, Petey was forced into facing a girl at a wrestling match, Lionel lost his family in a boating accident and is now an orphan, Telephone Man is a racist that may have found the light, and Louie is a boy faced with his own prejudice. Crutcher, through these fantastic short stories, takes us through these situations with grace and realism.
Discussion questions I made for a book challenge I competed in:
Basic book questions
*Some of the short stories had characters from some of Crutcher's other novels, did you feel that made it hard to connect to the characters and understand their stories?
*Did you feel the prefaces at the beginning of each story were helpful or hurtful?
*Crutcher often intertwines sports into his stories- do you think that is an effective way of introducing these hard topics? Do you think girls would find this novel as friendly as boys would?
Thought Provoking Hard Questions
*Crutcher says, "We are all bigots. All of us prejudge people on some basis, be it race, sexual preference, height, age or any scores of categories we use to make ourselves seem superior when we are, in fact, feeling inferior." Do you agree?
*Do you agree with parents in Iowa who did not want their 8th graders exposed to this novel? What age do you feel it is appropriate for?
*This book was published in 1991, way before there was mainstream LGBT young adult literature. Now this book is not purely LBGT, but includes stories that could be categorized as such. How do you think it was accepted at the time of publication?
allmadhere106's review against another edition
4.0
Six short stories all centered around sports/athletes. Each protagonist is male and athletic in some way, though that seems to be the only thing that they have in common. While some stories focus on “smaller” problems like bullying and body image, others focus on racism and bigotry. One of the more shocking stories—-“Telephone Man”-—is told from the POV of an extreme racist as he works to discover that his perceptions given to him by his father may be wrong. Several of Crutcher's characters are from other books that he has written, though the background information is not necessarily needed to enjoy the short stories. Before each story, Crutcher gives a small explanation of the character or an anecdote about how the story can to be. Another strong discussion of big issues from an author that is clearly well-informed about the topics.
shawnareads24's review against another edition
4.0
Read for my YA Lit grad class. Good for middle school and above level.
ghostduchess's review against another edition
3.0
It was an okay book. I don't see any grand reason for it being banned. The language was harsh, but it wasn't unreasonable given the point of the story.
kricketa's review against another edition
3.0
i love chris crutcher, but this collection of short stories about athletes with problems is starting to show its age a little bit. still, a fun and sometimes funny read.
ebroadbent22's review against another edition
4.0
Depressing in some parts, but the stories were really good for such a heavy read.
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
I forgot that I hadn't reviewed this book of short stories yet, and wish I had done so already. Maybe it's time for me to take a short break from eating all of Crutcher's offerings so quickly...I am starting to merge some of the characters and towns in my mind. I like that he returns to familiar locations, but now I am struggling to keep them separate.
I know that I liked this book. I liked Angus Bethune, having met him already in Angry Management. I liked and was choked up by the final story of the book, about a young man who must face his own bigotry towards a gay man with AIDS. I remember that there was also a tragic story about a fatal boating accident, and a couple of stories about wrestling. It's a good book- read someone else's review if you want more details about the stories within.
I know that I liked this book. I liked Angus Bethune, having met him already in Angry Management. I liked and was choked up by the final story of the book, about a young man who must face his own bigotry towards a gay man with AIDS. I remember that there was also a tragic story about a fatal boating accident, and a couple of stories about wrestling. It's a good book- read someone else's review if you want more details about the stories within.
sandraagee's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad. I maybe would have appreciated these stories more if I had read the books that the characters were taken from, but they all stand perfect well on their own. The "athletic" tie between the stories was weak at best though, so don't be fooled by the title.