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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
what looks like a book just about football is so much more. there are so many different topics that students could pick for discussion from the book.
Definitely sports-focused and sure to hook football fanatics. The ending was chilling, especially as I had expected a typical conclusion from the last few events in the book. Any book that leaves you with the feeling of unease about what's going to happen next meets its mark.
Mick Johnson wants to be a football star and will do anything it takes to achieve his dream.
I've been in a bit of a book slump lately and nothing I've picked up has seemed very good. This book got me through the slump. I read it in one afternoon. A great read about drive and steroid abuse. There's no happy ending and I can easily see Mick giving in to temptation again, but I'm really rooting for him!
I've been in a bit of a book slump lately and nothing I've picked up has seemed very good. This book got me through the slump. I read it in one afternoon. A great read about drive and steroid abuse. There's no happy ending and I can easily see Mick giving in to temptation again, but I'm really rooting for him!
Great book!! The story sucked me in, which is saying something because it’s very heavy on the football and I know almost nothing about football
Wow. Who knew how quickly and completely steroids can destroy your life. Without giving anything away, I will say the best thing about this book is how much we come to love the main character and how difficult it is to see him spiral out of control. I would have like to know how his story truly ends. Like a 5 years down the road epilogue.
i didn't understand even half the football jargon, but i still got excited reading about the plays. I asked someone what a "holding penalty" meant. the story also gave me a sense of what athletes can be up against. wow.
You know if a book can get me interested (and even EXCITED) about football, it must be really well-written. This book made me lose myself inside the competitive world of high school football. It was exciting, compelling, and interesting to read.
I didn't like the fact that the main character seemed to be the only boy to take vitamins and supplements and then was the only one to get messed up in steroids--I don't want it to come off as protein supplements are a gateway drug of sorts. Other than that, the book was great, although the suicide attempt at the end seemed a little sudden and out of left field. Good read though.
I didn't like the fact that the main character seemed to be the only boy to take vitamins and supplements and then was the only one to get messed up in steroids--I don't want it to come off as protein supplements are a gateway drug of sorts. Other than that, the book was great, although the suicide attempt at the end seemed a little sudden and out of left field. Good read though.
I'm not a huge sports fan but that didn't stop me from enjoying this teen football novel about the dangers of doping and steroids. Mick Johnson has spent his whole life in his father's impressive football shadow and he's determined to prove to him and to himself that he can be the best running back in town. Determined to bulk up fast and become a starter on the varsity team he starts taking steroids on the side because his trainer convinces him it's safe and it will help him unleash his inner beast. Soon all Mick is doing is working out and trying to outplay his teammates. He pushes his friends away in his quest for greatness and becomes very focused on achieving the only thing he thinks he cares with him. Obviously this comes with a huge price and everything could fall apart in an instant if someone discovered the truth. A quick easy read that is realistic and helps people understand how athletes and body builders fall into the doping trap. A great read for teenage boys, especially jocks.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mick was good, but he knew that he wanted to be better. What started as good determination to better his performance started a spiral into the dangers of performance enhancing drugs. This is a great football story that has a strong moral message. It is a book I would of recommended to my little brother when he was in 7th or 8th grade.