Ironman [Hardcover]

Chris Crutcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 1995

Bo Brewster has been at war with his father for as long as he can remember. Following angry outbursts at his football coach and English teacher that have cost him his spot on the football team and moved him dangerously close to expulsion from school, he turns to the only adult he believes will listen: Larry King.

In his letters to Larry, Bo describes his quest for excellence on his own terms. No more coaches for me, he tells the talk show icon, no more dads. I'm going to be a triathlete, an Ironman.

Relegated to Mr. Nak's before-school Anger Management group (which he initially believes to be populated with future serial killers and freeway snipers), Bo meets a hard-edged, down-on-their-luck pack of survivors with stainless steel shields against the world that Bo comes to see are not so different from his own. It is here he meets and falls in love with Shelly, a future American Gladiator, whose passion for physical challenge more than matches his.

Ironman is a funny, sometimes heartbreaking story about growing up in the heart of struggle. It is about standing up, getting knocked down, and standing up again. It is about being heard--and learning to listen.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Crutcher reassembles some of the character types he used to riveting effect in his stellar Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes: a teenage misfit narrator enduring grueling athletic training; a tough heroine with a tragic past; a right-wing authoritarian heavy; enlightened teachers; and a sadistic father. At its best, the narrative crackles along in the author's inimitable style. Beauregard Brewster, a would-be Ironman triathlete, chronicles the events that ensue after he insults an oppressive teacher and is forced to take an anger-management class with other troubled students. But Crutcher's message sometimes overwhelms the cast and the story line. Beau's stern father, who has to be right at all costs-even if it means stacking the deck against his son-is one of the few fully fleshed-out characters. Many are either saintly multiculturalists (Beau's gay swimming coach, earlier met in Stotan; "Mr. Nak" the Japanese cowboy anger-management teacher; the black female high school principal) or, in the case of the offensive teacher, outright villains. In spite of these flaws, Crutcher achieves many memorable moments-exchanges between the students in the anger-management class, for example, are idealized but often deeply moving. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up?Bo Brewster, a high school senior, is forced to attend anger-management classes after a series of run-ins with his English teacher/ex-football coach. Since those in the class are considered "felons" by outsiders, he figures the best he can hope to do is survive. The group's teacher, Mr. Nak, a Japanese American from Texas, deftly draws Bo into participating in the class, allowing him to learn plenty about himself and the running war that he has waged with his father for years. Bo spends most of his time outside of school training rigorously in preparation for a grueling triathlon. An added twist finds Bo's father providing his arch rival with an expensive bike, hoping Bo will lose and learn a lesson. The story is presented in both a third-person account of events, and through Bo's eyes in letters he writes to talk-show host Larry King, the only adult he believes will listen. Through Crutcher's masterful character development, readers will believe in Bo, empathize with the other members of the anger-management group, absorb the wisdom of Mr. Nak, and despise, yet at times pity, the boy's father. This is not a light read, as many serious issues surface, though the author's trademark dark humor (and colorful use of street language) is abundant. Crutcher has consistently penned exceptional reads for YAs, and Ironman is one of his strongest works yet.?Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books; First Edition edition (April 14, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068813503X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688135034
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,020,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ironman=Strong Issues, June 10, 2004

By 

Judy C. Harvey "majudy" (Atlanta, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ironman (Paperback)

As a high school teacher, I teach this book to my juniors. Or perhaps I should say we read and enjoy it together. Chris Crutcher uses humor and straight talk to present a variety of issues facing kids today, love, divorce, child abuse, managing anger, even finding out someone you care about is homosexual. I find I am able to discuss these issues with my students using the book as a springboard. One of my students said, "This is the best book I have ever read. The kids in the book talk like us and feel like us." Another student said she laughed out loud when reading it at home. The other reviews presented the plot, I just wanted you to know what my teens thought of the book. I will warn you there is a small amount of strong language in the book, if you are considering using it in the classroom or buying it for your teenager. I have read all of Crutcher's books, and feel he is one of the best young adult authors ever.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Trialing Teenage Times, December 10, 2001

By 

Mark Risher (Lafayette, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ironman (Paperback)

In a choice novel assignment given by my junior english teacher, I chose to read "Ironman", written by Chris Crutcher. The main character, Bo Brewster, is having a difficult time dealing with his family life as well as his football coach. Bo can come off to some people as a "hot head" or a "quitter", but I view him as a teenager that faces many of the same problems that many student athletes, or just regular teenagers face in real life. Bo takes the smart way of dealing with his anger, and enrolls in an anger management class before school to avoid being expelled, and to make himself a better human being. Some people believe in the expression, "Things happen for a reason." Well, in Bo's situation, I believe things did happen for a reason in this story. While going to the anger management classes, a man by the name of Mr. Nak becomes what I like to think of as Bo's mentor. He sees what makes Bo aggravated, and shares his life stories with Bo to show him that he isn't the only one who goes through rough times during his life. The book titled "Ironman" is an excellent book that should be required for teenagers to read because while we may think everyone lives the perfect life, we all go through challenging experiences that can be related with Bo. We just have to open our eyes and be willing to accept the guidence from others just as Bo did to make ourselves better human beings.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ironman: by Chris Crutcher, November 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Ironman (Paperback)

Title: Ironman
Author: Chris Crutcher
Classification: Young Adult
Plot: Bo, who is the main character, is having trouble with his family and he is anger managment, which is a class to help him with his anger problems. While in anger managment he meets a girl named Shelly who completely changes his life. He is traning to be in Yukon Jacks, a triatholon race, and is trying to beat his competition Wyrack.
Comparison: This book is kind of like "Stotan" It has basically the same genre. In each of the books schools have a group of kids competing is some sort of sporting event. The characters in both books went to a big race to compete in was swimming or a triatholon. In "Ironman" Bo writes to Larry King, a tv host, telling him what is going on in his life or the problems that he is facing.
Personal Reaction: This book, "Ironman," really touched me. It just shows the different life styles people live in. Such as Bo's. His parents are divorced, he is anger managment,he has problems with his dad, and also has trouble getting along with friends at school. Shelly, who is Bo's girlfriend cares for him. Bo has never really had anyone this close to him before. It touches me because just one person completley changed the way he looks at things. I think because of Shelly Bo continued and worked really hard to compete in Yukon Jacks. On page 165 shelly, Bo's girlfriend is giving Bo his valentine she said "She had never considered loving anybody before....." To me that is showing how much Shelly really cares for Bo, and how important he is in her life. Those words on the card could have changed the way he looks at life. He realized that there is someone that really cares for him. To me this book his very touching.
Reaction: This book is a great book. I loved it. It relates to some kids that I know. Some people though could get offended because it is about someone that is anger managment, and this kid that is having trouble with his dad. The language at time is pretty horific which could potentionally be a draw back.