Juice
When a Division One coach comes to their smaller school to bring the football program up to contender status, Moose and the rest of the players on the team are pumped. Coach Barnes has new ideas and a vision for the future-nothing is too good for his players. With a new training regimen, everything seems to be on a winning track. But when Moose and others are offered steroids, tempers start to fray and the teammates have to decide whose side they are on. Juice is a compelling story about the...
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"What happens between you and me stays here. It's nobody's business but ours." "But isn' using steroids sort of like cheating?" I asked. "It would be if you were the only one doing it. Half the kids on the line who are standing across from you, trying to block you, are on the juice. We're just trying to give you what you need to even up the score." When a Division One coach comes to their smaller school to bring the football program up to contender status, Moose and the rest of the players on the team are pumped. Coach Barnes has new ideas and a vision for the future—nothing is too good for his players. With a new training regimen, everything seems to be on a winning track. But when Moose and others are offered steroids, tempers start to fray and the teammates have to decide whose side they are on. Juice is a compelling story about the pressures and temptations that are faced by many in the competitive world of high-school athletics. Juice is Eric Walters' third entry in the Orca Soundings series, following Grind and Overdrive.Charlotte M. Krall - Children's LiteratureMoose, a sophomore football senior team member, is thrilled to hold the game football. All the clapping of his team mates, smiles, and words from his coach make him feel honored to be MVP. But the happiness immediately is replaced by sadness as his coach announces his retirement after twenty-seven years. The new coach, in a suit like a pro football coach, arrives after school is out for the summer. He makes many promises—new lockers, new exercise room with new equipment, and new work-out clothes. He even provides them with a trainer, vitamins, and power drinks. Michael is happy to be named one of three co-captains and vows to be a good example to the team. He lives with his Mom and has a good relationship with his Dad. He was even named "Employee of the Month" at the supermarket where he works. He is talked into taking steroids under the persuasive illusion that his trainer gives him that it is best for his Mom for—college scholarships—for his future, and for his team. He says there are only minor drawbacks, not mentioning steroids are against the law. When things get bad with anger issues and body changes, Moose faces the realities of drug use. When his old coach unexpectedly returns and the new coach and trainer are arrested, Michael makes a tough choice for the team. This high school drug-related novel, part of the "Orca Sounding" series, would be a good discussion book for middle-school classrooms. It would be a good book to read to the class posing a question after each chapter. It definitely should be included as a drug prevention novel on library shelves. 2005, Orca Publishers, Ages 12 to 18.
"What happens between you and me stays here. It's nobody's business but ours."\ "But isn't using steroids sort of like cheating?" I asked.\ "It would be if you were the only one doing it. Half the kids on the line who are standing across from you, trying to block you, are on the juice. We're just trying to give you what you need to even up the score."\
\ Canadian Children's Literature"Young readers will appreciate the way the narrative offers an inside look at how doping in sports actually works, even as they come to learn the lesson."\ \ \ \ \ Resource Links"Walters has done it again. He has created a world that readers will instantly recognize and become engaged in...Highly recommended."\ \ \ CD SyndicatedWalters' characters have the energy and urgency of real kids with nice role-model nuances; you really care about them and their predicaments.\ — Chris DeVito\ \ \ \ \ CM Magazine"Would certainly be of interest to any athletic high school boy involved in team sports and who may have had to deal with similar issues...Recommended."\ \ \ \ \ Hip Librarians' Book Blog"Opportunities for discussion abound...Drama and action are balanced well and the author avoids a heavy-handed moral tone."\ \ \ \ \ CD Syndicated\ - Chris DeVito\ "Walters' characters have the energy and urgency of real kids with nice role-model nuances; you really care about them and their predicaments."\ \ \ \ \ Children's LiteratureMoose, a sophomore football senior team member, is thrilled to hold the game football. All the clapping of his team mates, smiles, and words from his coach make him feel honored to be MVP. But the happiness immediately is replaced by sadness as his coach announces his retirement after twenty-seven years. The new coach, in a suit like a pro football coach, arrives after school is out for the summer. He makes many promises—new lockers, new exercise room with new equipment, and new work-out clothes. He even provides them with a trainer, vitamins, and power drinks. Michael is happy to be named one of three co-captains and vows to be a good example to the team. He lives with his Mom and has a good relationship with his Dad. He was even named "Employee of the Month" at the supermarket where he works. He is talked into taking steroids under the persuasive illusion that his trainer gives him that it is best for his Mom for—college scholarships—for his future, and for his team. He says there are only minor drawbacks, not mentioning steroids are against the law. When things get bad with anger issues and body changes, Moose faces the realities of drug use. When his old coach unexpectedly returns and the new coach and trainer are arrested, Michael makes a tough choice for the team. This high school drug-related novel, part of the "Orca Sounding" series, would be a good discussion book for middle-school classrooms. It would be a good book to read to the class posing a question after each chapter. It definitely should be included as a drug prevention novel on library shelves. 2005, Orca Publishers, Ages 12 to 18. \ —Charlotte M. Krall\ \ \ \ \ VOYAAt one time, Michael "Moose" Monroe was just a large child, hating the stupidity and clumsiness that his nickname implied. Now fans yell, "The Moose is loose!" as he sacks quarterback after quarterback. Dedication and desire make him MVP for his Division II championship team. Coach Reeves announces his retirement. His successor, Kevin Barnes, moves from a Division I school. He is a slick-talking, glad-handing, maxim-spouting, football-is-all coach. Immediately the locker room is remodeled, weight room updated with sound system and 42-inch plasma televisions, a whirlpool installed, and a massage therapist procured. Moose is named captain for his work ethic and leadership. That summer, Tony, Barnes's friend, arrives as the strength and conditioning coach. The players are pulled aside and asked if they are willing to do anything to reach their goal. Naturally they reply affirmatively. In Tony and Barnes' estimation, "anything" includes "juicing" or taking steroids. Zits galore populate faces and backs. Behavior changes become visible in the players. Normally mild-mannered Moose is suspended from work for losing his temper. When an NFL player, a former player of Barnes, is caught up in a steroid scandal and names Tony and Barnes as suppliers, Coach Reeves comes back from retirement and life goes on-steroid free. This Orca Soundings hi-lo offering is a fast-paced page-turner that becomes somewhat preachy in the final pages. The pressures of being an athlete, keeping up academically, and working part-time give Moose depth and sympathy. Boys or any reluctant reader will love this story. VOYA CODES: 4Q 5P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Every YA (who reads) was dyingto read it yesterday; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, Orca, 101p., pb. Ages 11 to 18. \ —Mike Brown\ \ \ \ \ School Library JournalGr 6-9-Written at a 2.9+ reading level (as indicated on the back cover), this story will appeal to students who lack strong reading skills. Moose is an excellent football player, a good kid, and a good leader. A mixture of corrupt and well-meaning adults provide balance as he deals with a new coach who is determined to win at all costs. Steroid use is explored, as are the consequences of getting caught. The attraction of sports, flashy equipment, a desire to succeed, and a moral dilemma about how success should be achieved will keep readers engaged throughout. The moral of the story is crystal clear at the end and seems a bit overstated. Unfortunately, books for struggling older readers do not have much room for intricate plots or solid character development. While this one fits that category, it will find an audience.-Julie Webb, Shelby County High School, Shelbyville, KY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.\ \
