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Gym Candy

(2007, Fiction - Sports, Written by Carl Deuker)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Authentic look at high school football culture and drug use.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    There is peer pressure, parental pressure, drug usage, fights and an attempted suicide in this novel. There are also examples of positive adult influence and involvement, and instances of true friendship.

  • Violence:

    This novel has fights fueled by 'roid rage, an attempted suicide, and some gun imagery -- blood is described from a gunshot wound. There is also typical violence associated with football -- tackles, bruises, and injuries.

  • Sex:

    There are some typical high school crushes, but nothing racy.

  • Language:

    This novel has mild swearing, but nothing excessive.

  • Consumerism:

    Other than the names of specific kids of steroids, this novel is clear of references to consumer products.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    There is heavy, addictive steroid use in this novel. Pills and injectables are used.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Gym Candy

Parents need to know that there are some heavy subjects in this novel, including teen steroid use, suicide, and violence related to drug use. A teen threatens to shoot a friend before turning the gun on himself. Adults take advantage of impressionable teens, putting one on an illegal steroid routine.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about steroid use. Given the incredible pressure many kids feel to excel in sports at an early age, is the temptation to take steroids understandable? What coping mechanisms do you have to deal with peer and self expectations? Do you think steroid use in sports counts as cheating? Do professional athletes set a good or bad example for teens?
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