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Gym Candy (by Carl Deuker)

common sense media says

Authentic look at high school football culture and drug use.

parents & educators say
See all 7 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

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.

Positive 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.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Mick's passion has been football since he was a little kid. His father, a former professional football player, has a room with walls dedicated to his high school and college career, and Mick wants to be just like him. He'll do anything to get and keep an edge. When Mick earns a top spot on the varsity football team, he looks to a friendly personal trainer's solution to his problem. Soon Mick finds himself in over his head. Can he ever get back to playing the game fair or will the "gym candy" keep him coming back for more?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

GYM CANDY is a novel for real football fans. Author Carl Deuker does a fantastic job capturing the action from the first down to the final touchdown. The audience will almost be able to smell the sweat and feel the hits through Deuker's vivid writing. Teens will cheer on Mick as he goes after football glory with all that he has in him.

The novel will give both teens and their parents some serious issues to think about as Mick succumbs to both internal and external pressure to perform like an athlete far beyond his years. If readers are looking for an uplifting, sports hero ending, they'll be disappointed. A bit of a downer, the ending is as raw and real as the rest of the novel.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Carl Deuker
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
Publication date: September 3, 2007
Number of pages: 320
Hardcover price: $16.00
Paperback price: $8.99
This review was written by Terreece Clarke
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

spouted
parent of 13 year old
17
 
Should be an adult.
This book is the worst. Should not have been written. Protect your kids now. It had drugs violence throughout the whole book. Don't forget sex. Absolutey vulgar messages. Atrocious is what i give it. Absolutely atrocious.
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (11)
teshman98
teen, 17 years old
12
 
i loved it because it was ver
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (9)
calebwedel
teen, 18 years old
16
 
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (7)
Rudy Louis
teen, 14 years old
13
 
Great for everyone
It is the best book that i have ever read
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (10)
savvy1993
teen, 18 years old
15
 
its not tht bad
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (8)
Andrew is the name
teen, 14 years old
15
 
Teenagers only
The book is a very good book. Onces your kid startes to read it they will be hooked. Now this is not for kids but teenagers. Their are a couple of messages to help your kids in later life in sports.
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (8)
caitlynn4490
teen, 17 years old
13
 
gym candy opinion
I'm 13 , And I've read this book. I honestly think the age for reading this book depends on how mature you are. Because I read this whole thing and nothing suprised me really, just a good book. But if your the type of kid whose like "OMG THERE HAVING SEX" then ...uhmm no you probably aren't mature enough.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (8)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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