Crackback » (Reprint)

When Miles Manning, a successful high school football player, discovers his teammates are using steroids--and one of them is his best friend--he's faced with a tough decision: Is he willing to do what it takes to win? Football is his life, and his family, especially his dad, is pinning its hopes on him. It's a lot of pressure for a high school junior to bear. This gripping look into the world of high school boys and athletes--and their struggle to be the best--is provocative and searingly honest.

Claire Rosser - KLIATT

An excellent football story by a newcomer to the field of YA fiction; Coy has written children's books in the past and teaches writing "in schools across the country." Miles plays high school football, enjoying the game, but anxious about pleasing his demanding father and the abusive coach, and about avoiding the steroids pushed on him by his teammates. Nothing evolves like usual sports stories. In fact, Miles is placed on the bench, the team is a failure, and he makes some new friends who don't take football so seriously. The tension in his family becomes explosive, and finally secrets are revealed and the family dynamics are improved—Miles's mother is wonderful and his father finally opens up. Miles's interest in history grows, as does his interest in a smart new student, Lucia. Every reader is going to love Miles for his humor, his talent, and intelligence. Coy controls the story with great wit and talent himself and we look forward to his future work. KLIATT Codes: JS*—Exceptional book, recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2005, Scholastic, 206p., Ages 12 to 18.