Juice (Orca Soundings) [Hardcover]

Eric Walters (Author)

Book Description

Series: Orca Soundings | Publication Date: June 1, 2006

Will steroids tear the team apart? (RL2.9)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 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 © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. Walters' small paperback in the Orca Soundings series for reluctant readers offers a simplistic glimpse into the world of high-school sports and steroids. Moose is a star defensive player in a town where football is everything. He is sorry that Coach Reeves is retiring, but thrilled that Coach Barnes appears to be backed by enough money to overhaul the training program. Tony, the coach's assistant, supervises team workouts and makes power drinks full of anabolic steroids. Unlike others on the team, Moose has been told what's up, and has agreed to take pills after promises about his future career. When his personality becomes more volatile, he wonders if he should stop, but before he decides, Coach Barnes is unmasked and good old Coach Reeves returns to encourage the team to cooperate with the investigation. This is written at such a surface level, that it's hard to take seriously, though the book's simplicity will probably grab plenty of kids. The thoroughly foreshadowed ending hits readers over the head, but perhaps that's what's needed to attract attention to the problem and make it personal. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 101 pages
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551435888
• ISBN-13: 978-1551435886
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,345,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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