CHECK IT OUT

There’s no artificial sweetener in the plots of his award-winning

novels. Indeed, rather than protecting teens from life’s darker side,

young adult author Chris Crutcher holds the spotlight to some of the

edgier issues of growing up, in works that are both inspired sports

stories and insightful reflections of young adult realities.

The winner of the 2000 Margaret A. Edwards (MAE) Award recognizing

lifetime achievement of an author whose books are popular with teens,

Crutcher has tackled such themes as family dysfunction, disability,

discrimination and divorce. Yet while his stories deal with sensitive

subjects, they also send upbeat messages about the redeeming value of

integrity, tenacity, dignity and friendship.

The messages are embedded in fiction that underscores the uncertainty

of the growing up process.

“The thing I hate about life,” announces high school senior Louie

Banks in “Running Loose,” Crutcher’s first novel, “is that nothing’s ever

clear. Every time you get things all figured out, somebody throws in

another kink.”

Louie’s problems begin when he’s falsely accused and tossed off the

football team for taking a stand against the coach. They multiply in the

aftermath of a traffic accident that takes a friend’s life, leaving Louie

to deal with irreparable loss.

Serious loss serves as a launch pad for maturity in many of Crutcher’s

works. After he’s crippled in a water-skiing accident in “The Crazy Horse

Electric Game,” high school star athlete Willie Weaver runs away from

home to a special school where he learns to cope with his condition. In

“Chinese Handcuffs,” 18-year-old Dillon attempts to rebuild his life

after his brother’s suicide, aided by friendships with peers who harbor

disturbing secrets.

Crutcher draws on his personal experience as a swimmer in “Stotan!” in

which a week of rigorous training tests the moral fiber of four swim team

members, as well as their physical stamina. A high school pool also

serves as a training ground for more than athletic achievement in

“Ironman,” a story about perpetually angry Bo, who prepares for a

triathlon while attending an anger management group.

In “Whale Talk,” Crutcher’s newest work due out in April, a school bus

provides sanctuary for seven swimming teammates. The book is based on an

event that took place near Crutcher’s hometown of Spokane, Wash., a few

years ago, in which a student came into a classroom with a rifle and

killed two classmates and the teacher.

Teens, parents, teachers and all interested in young adult literature

can interact with this acclaimed author at “Meet Chris Crutcher,” at 7

p.m. Wednesday at the Newport Beach Central Library. Books will be

available for sale, and Crutcher will be on hand to sign personal copies.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

Deborah Wilkinson. All titles may be reserved from home or office

computers by accessing the catalog at https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org.