Takedown [Paperback]

E. M. J. Benjamin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2000

A finalist for the "Foreword Magazine" Book of the Year Award and a nominee for the American Library Association's "Best Books for Young Adults," this is a teen novel about a high school senior, Jake, who thinks the big challenge of his year will be getting to the state wrestling championships...until he begins having seizures. The diagnosis of epilepsy throws everything he values into question as, during one grueling wrestling season, he learns to re-order his life.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-Jake Chapman, a star high school wrestler with a legitimate shot at winning the state championship, finds his life turned upside down when he is diagnosed with epilepsy. The discussion of both the sport and the disease have the ring of authenticity, and the two elements are well integrated into the plot. There is also a candid treatment of the emotional impact of epilepsy on Jake and his family. Scatological language accurately represents the speech patterns of many teen athletes. The arch villain is a feminist English teacher who has unfairly kept Jake out of the National Honor Society. She is smug, sarcastic, and dishonest, and she punishes those students who displease her by putting a paper pig on their desks. She is not the only female portrayed in a negative light. The one girl on the wrestling team comes late to practice and frequently skips it altogether but is not disciplined because the coach fears a lawsuit. Jake's own mother sacrifices the welfare of her family for the sake of her career. The sad thing is that all of this misogyny is entirely gratuitous; Jake's story is compelling enough to stand on its own, without the heavy-handed antifeminism.- Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A fast-paced novel with emotional depth. The writing is tight and punchy, and Jake's problem is gripping." -- Greensoro, NC, News & Record

"An exciting read with a positive lesson, not to mention insight into an often-misunderstood disorder." -- Today's Librarian

"Good books about the hardships of student athletes are hard to find. This one is a keeper." -- The Alan Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Banks Channel Books; 1st edition (September 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889199044
• ISBN-13: 978-1889199047
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #618,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Epilepsy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book about a high school wrestler with epilepsy., October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Takedown (Paperback)

This is a terrific, fast-paced book about Jake Chapman, who thinks the worst thing he's going to have to face his senior year in high school will be the struggle for the state wrestling championship. Then he begins having seizures and is diagnosed with epilepsy, and his life does a fast 180. He loses his scholarship, driving privileges, and girlfriend, and he's terrified the coach will kick him off the wrestling team if he finds out. He's also terrified he'll have a seizure IN FRONT of somebody. In the end, the discipline and adapability that have made him a top athlete also help him adjust to his new way of life. Once I picked this up, I couldn't stop reading. The wrestling is absolutely realistic; the epilepsy, too. Even Bruce Baumgartner -- the world's most famous international wrestler -- wrote a nice blurb for the back of the book. I loved it!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book to introduce adolescents to Epilepsy, November 20, 1999

By 

Kathleen Caruso (Lansing, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Takedown (Paperback)

I am a teacher with Epilepsy and I discovered this book this year. I am presently reading it aloud to my eighth grade class and they love it! Both the boys and the girls can relate to Jake and how he wants to hide any differences that he may have from others. They are all more open to differences and have taken the perspective of the "differnt" person and tell me that they will really work to be more open-minded of all people and their differences. I feel that it is a great springboard for both my students and their families to learn more about Epilepsy and accept that I am a person with Epilepsy. Several of my students really like his brother, Chopper. A wonderful book and I plan to purchase Benjamin's other books to have available for my studetns.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More about life than wrestling, May 8, 2002

By 

"hofman19" (Levittown, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Takedown (Paperback)

A book that is big within the amateur wrestling cycle, "Takedown" is a story about life lessons rather than wrestling. Read as Jake Chapman, hit with an unexpected dose of the unfairness of life, learns to survive and cope with fear while everthing that he values is slipping away. This book will hook you from page one. I read the whole thing in one night. I reccommend this novel to everyone, not just wrestling fans.