The Crazy Horse Electric Game [Paperback]

Chris Crutcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Willie Weaver used to be a hero.
Now he's nothing.

Willie is a top athlete, the star of the legendary game against Crazy Horse Electric. Then a freak accident robs him of his once-amazing physical talents.

Betrayed by his family, his girlfriend, and his own body, Willie's on the run, penniless and terrified on the streets, where he must fight to rebuild both his body and his life.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up The title refers to the game for the Eastern Montana American Legion baseball championship, as the star pitcher, Willie Weaver, leads his team against the powerful squad from Crazy Horse Electric. But the emphasis of the novel shifts quickly away from baseball after Willie suffers a head injury in a water skiing accident. Unable to accept the loss of his athletic prowess, the pity of others, and his parents' troubled marriage, Willie runs away and ends up in the inner city of Oakland, California. After being beaten and robbed by a gang, Willie is rescued by a black bus driver/pimp, who enrolls Willie in a school for troubled youths. Thanks to the understanding staff of the school, Willie regains his mental and physical abilities and his self-confidence. He returns home to Montana, however, to learn that there is no longer a place for him in the lives of those he left. If nothing else, Crutcher manages to cram many of the most popular themes of young adult novels into this book, as Willie faces the crib death of his sister, divorce, drugs, sexual feelings, gang violence, mental handicaps, physical handicaps, prostitution, child beating, and more. Willie's present-tense narration is annoying, and does not work well for this story that covers several years. The author is best in the effective description of Willie's effort to recover from his injury. But this is the best that can be said for a novel that often seems contrived. Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, Ill.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Chris Crutcher has written nine critically acclaimed novels, an autobiography, and two collections of short stories. He has won three lifetime achievement awards for the body of his work: the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Outstanding Literature for Young Adults, the ALAN Award for a Significant Contribution to Adolescent Literature, and the NCTE National Intellectual Freedom Award.

He has been a child and family therapist with the Spokane Community Mental Health Center and is currently chairperson of the Spokane Child Protection Team. Chris Crutcher lives in Spokane, Washington.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060094907
• ISBN-13: 978-0060094904
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Runaways
  • #45 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Special Needs > Fiction
  • #60 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > School & Sports > Fiction

More About the Author

Chris Crutcher grew up in Cascade, Idaho, and now lives in Spokane, Washington. He is the critically acclaimed author of six novels and a collection of short stories for teenagers, all chosen as ALA Best Books. In 2000, he was awarded the American Library Association's Margaret A. Edwards Award, honoring his lifetime contribution in writing for teens. Drawing on his experience as an athlete, teacher, family therapist, and child protection specialist, he unflinchingly writes about real and often-ignored issues that face teenagers today.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This novel contains many interesting plots within 1 another., November 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Crazy Horse Electric Game (Laurel-Leaf Contemporary Fiction) (Mass Market Paperback)

"The Crazy Horse Electric Game" is the greatest novel I have ever read! I'm not the kind of person who enjoys to read, but this was a novel that kept me very interested until the end. The name seemed very funny to me at first, but once I started reading the novel, it kept getting better. I really admire the main character, Willie Weaver; he had a very special talent. It was baseball. After, Willie beats the rival team, Crazy Horse Electric, he later gets injured and is crippled for the rest of his life. After that it seems to him as the world is turning against him, so he runs away. He later faces many more dilemas. Please read this novel, you will not regret reading it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Journey, May 27, 2005

By 

Fidel Mendoza "Fidel" (Glendale Hts., IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crazy Horse Electric Game (Paperback)

Ages 13 and up. Willie Weaver is the luckiest guy on earth. He has it all going for him, he has talent, friends, and a great family. Everything is great when one day Willie has a terrible accident that leaves him crippled. Feeling awful he runs away from his home in Montana to the streets of Oakland California. In Oakland he is surrounded by thugs, pimps, and a lot of danger. The Crazy Horse Electric Game, is a great story of courage that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. This is a great book for teenagers around the globe.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crutcher Makes A Sellout, January 24, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Crazy Horse Electric Game (Laurel-Leaf Contemporary Fiction) (Mass Market Paperback)

Crutcher is a genius. He wrote a fantastic story about a phenomanol sports kidnamed Willie Weaver who can't be stopped. Except by an accident of course, an accident that leaves Willie little coordination and no sports ability. His family and girlfriend abandon him so he runs away. Finally he finds a new school. He knows this is his last chance in life. This taught me to do your best in any situation and it just might pay off. I liked it because it had good imagery and it really sucked you into Chris Crutchers world of writing.