Gym Candy [Paperback]

Carl Deuker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2008

Mick Johnson is determined not to make the same mistakes his father, a failed football hero, made. But after being tackled just short of the end zone in a big game, Mick begins using “gym candy,” or steroids. His performances become record-breaking, but the side effects are terrible: Mick suffers ’roid rage, depression, and body acne. Gym Candy’s subject matter is just as hard-hitting as its football scenes. You’ll find yourself unable to look away as Mick goes down a road that even he knows is the wrong one to travel.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Having grown up in the shadow of his father's failed NFL career, high-school football player Mick Johnson is determined not to make the same mistakes. But when he's tackled just short of the goal in a pivotal game, he decides that vitamin supplements aren't enough and begins purchasing "gym candy," or steroids, from the trainer at his local gym. His performance starts breaking records and his father couldn't be more proud, but along with gains in muscle, he suffers "'roid rage," depression, and unsightly acne. When his secret finally comes out, he attempts suicide. Even after therapy, Mick is left wondering if he'll continue to be tempted by steroids. Deuker skillfully complements a sobering message with plenty of exciting on-field action and locker-room drama, while depicting Mick's emotional struggles with loneliness and insecurity as sensitively and realistically as his physical ones. Pair this solid addition to the sports fiction shelf with John Coy's Crackback (2005). Hubert, Jennifer --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Deuker skillfully complements a sobering message with plenty of exciting on-field action." (Booklist )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 313 pages
• Publisher: Graphia; Reprint edition (September 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547076312
• ISBN-13: 978-0547076317
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Social Issues > Drug Use & Abuse > Fiction
  • #36 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Drugs
  • #42 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Football

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bittersweet Candy, October 30, 2007

By 

Ken C. (MA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Gym Candy (Hardcover)

Carl Deuker, a name of note in YA sports writing, has scored again with this realistic look at how a high school football player who knows better can rationalize his way into steroids merely by being ambitious, competitive, curious, and in the wrong place at the wrong time. The scary thing is, that's not too unusual a combination. Take this plus the fact that protagonist Mick Johnson already knows about steroids' side effects and health risks -- but takes the plunge anyway -- and you see the stuff of Deuker's engaging plot.

The stage is set with exposition about Mick's family -- chiefly the story of his dad, Mike, an ex-college football stand-out who fumbled his career away with a combination of bad behavior and worse attitude. Now Mike's redemption can only come vicariously by encouraging his son to succeed where he failed. Next we get a series of game scenes, a Deuker specialty, showing Mick's strengths -- speed and quick moves -- as well as his weakness -- strength. The pieces are in place, and when Mick's dad's company buys a health club, Mick gets an "in" that begins a dark journey into a tangled forest, the world of weight lifters on juice.

Books like this are a boon for boys who are reluctant readers but enthusiastic sports participants, and Deuker doesn't pretend to be writing anything deep and literary -- he's just writing great plot that makes kids read. Make no mistake, however: this book has a message worthy of discussion. Better yet, it avoids the mistake of coming across as any finger-wagging lecture.

In fact, I tip my hat to Deuker for juking the obvious ending (which was about to tackle him shy of a successful conclusion) and writing a more realistic one that scored big with me (extra point is good, too). You see, sometimes stories don't tie together so sweetly. Sometimes, in fact, the truth is more bittersweet than not. GYM CANDY is such a story with such an ending. A thoughtful, sobering sports book, I recommend it highly.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's all there!, March 29, 2008

By 

Danton McDiffett (Kansas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gym Candy (Hardcover)

I teach Deuker's "Night Hoops" in my eighth grade English classes and it's consistently popular with even the reluctant readers. But now, I've found a novel I like even more. I like it because it wrestles with issues deeper than sports. I like it because it doesn't take the easy way out in the end. And I like it because it's just a damn good story, timely and entertaining.

Despite my high endorsement, I do have one quibble. I'm very familiar with weights and lifting, and one sentence reveals a lack of care to details: "Now he was standing in front of the mirror, bench-pressing two hundred pounds . . ." Every bench press I know involves lying on the bench, not standing.

That one quibble aside, this book is bound to be popular with boys facing the same issues Mick Johnson is facing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steroid Abuse, November 18, 2009

By 

Virginia Walker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gym Candy (Paperback)

Gym Candy by Carl Deuker starts with Mick Johnson playing football through out his childhood. As his football career goes on, things start to get more competitive. He tried lifting weights religiously. Obviously, that wasn't enough for Mick. As a result of this he gets sucked in to the life of steroids.

This is the best book I've ever read. It is the book that is the most entertaining book to read. Well at least out of everything that I've read. Regularly I hate reading with a passion, but I could read this book for two straight hours. This book is a must read. I can almost assure that if you are a teenager you will enjoy this book. After reading this, I named it my all time favorite book. This book is a great example of realistic fiction. In my opinion, this book is definitely a five star.