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Athletic Shorts

Six Short Stories

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
Some of the most amazing teenage athletes you'll ever meet are waiting to talk to you. In six unforgettable stories, Chris Crutcher captures the real world of teenagers facing tough situations and doing their best-no matter what. Meet Lionel, a great swimmer who lost his parents in a boating accident; Angus Bethune, the fat kid who can dance the pants off anyone; Johnny, whose abusive father makes him do ten push-ups every time he hears a word he doesn't like; and Petey, who "volunteers" to wrestle the toughest girl around. Their stories are sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, and always entertaining. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Athletic Shorts is rooted solidly in Chris Crutcher's experience as a child and family therapist. It tackles some of the grittiest issues facing teenagers today-racism, underage drinking, AIDS-with superb sensitivity and humor.
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    • Publisher's Weekly

      October 21, 1991
      If the stereotype of the ``bonehead jock'' is ever to be defeated, it will be at Crutcher's hands. In these six short stories, he and his athlete protagonists take on such weighty issues as racism, homophobia, sexism and the teenager's essential task of coming to terms with his parents. At the same time the author makes the world of sports compelling enough to engage even the most sedentary readers. Three of the stories revolve around characters featured in Crutcher's The Crazy Horse Electric Game , including the memorable eccentric known as Telephone Man. Also starring in his own story is Lionel Serbousek, the orphaned artist and swimmer of Stotan! In the book's final tale, Louie Banks (from Running Loose ) is befriended by a young man with AIDS and must cope once again with the untimely death of a loved one. The stories' locales--mostly small towns in Montana and Idaho--are vividly evoked, and make a satisfying change from the well-known big cities and bland suburbs where so many YA novels are set. Ages 12-up.

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Languages

  • English

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