Leverage

     This book was rough. Joshua Cohen has written a book that takes high school sports, steroids, and violence to a level not often seen in YA books. It is the story of gymnast Danny, who goes through life terrified of what the football players might do to him. It is the story of Kurt, an abused, foster kid, who is a beast on the football field. He stutters, he is damaged both physically and emotionally and he tries to do what is right. When Kurt and Danny wind up on the wrong side of the top three football players, tragedy ensues. The boys feel helpless to tell anyone what they see. They both fear for their lives if they do. They feel guilt when their inaction leads to suicide. They feel powerless to fight the boys and the adults who support the football program. Both have much to lose. This is a violent book, but I'm sure it is realistic, which is terrifying. How do we put success in sports above human life? Is winning really that important? It takes extreme acts of bravery for these boys to finally make things right, but it isn't the adults who help them. I won't be putting this book in my library, it belongs in a high school because of the brutality of some of the scenes. But I am glad to have read it.  I only hope that this book circulates through the right circles and we begin to place more value on the important things- and not at winning at any cost. Happy Reading my friends.