gymcandy

Gym Candy, by Carl Deuker ISBN: 978-0-618-77713-6 ©2007 313 pages

Good sections to read aloud: pp. 3-4 where Mick starts playing football at age 4 pp. 70-71 - Mick’s first start in a high school football game

Summary: Mick Johnson is our main character and is going to be starting high school, which means he has a chance to try out for the football team. When he is chosen to be on the roster for varsity, not only is he excited, but so is his father (who was a former NFL draft pick years ago). Mick plays hard, works out when needed, but still isn’t satisfied with his level. His dad suggests he start working out with a trainer at a place where he gets a free membership. That’s where Mick meets Peter. Peter seems like a great trainer until he offers Mick a little something ‘extra,’ specifically what athletes call “gym candy.” Mick refuses at first, but continues to be frustrated with his progress, so seeks Peter out again and asks when he can get some of the stuff. This starts his downfall.....

Will Mick be able to keep this a secret? Will he stop using the steroids? Read all this, and more...in Gym Candy.

YA sports fiction: football; steroids; high school; father/son; weightlifting

©Jennifer Lang-WDMS-2010