Synopsis
Louie Banks has the world by the tail. It's his last year in high school; he has wheels, a starting spot on the football team, good friends, and the girl of everyone's dreams. If he can stay away from Boomer Cowans long enough to graduate, he's got it made. But the world suddenly turns and snatches Louie by the tail, and it just won't let go. His visions of sportsmanship and fair play go up in smoke by the second game of the season; his expectations of life are shattered by spring.
Many of Louie's wounds are selfinflicted; others, the result of a cold random throw of the cosmic dice. Either way, his road to manhood has become cluttered with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Running Loose is a story about that time in a boy's life when he is suddenly expected to act like a man-to be accountable for the things he does and to react reasonably to the craziness around him. Sometimes Louie does; sometimes he doesn't.
Many of Louie's wounds are selfinflicted; others, the result of a cold random throw of the cosmic dice. Either way, his road to manhood has become cluttered with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Running Loose is a story about that time in a boy's life when he is suddenly expected to act like a man-to be accountable for the things he does and to react reasonably to the craziness around him. Sometimes Louie does; sometimes he doesn't.
Reviews
"The book raises important issues for adolescents to consider."
~School Library Journal
"...a tightly plotted, compelling talecompassionate, funny and sensitive.''
~ Publisher's Weekly
"Crutcher's talent is evident in Running Loose, in which Louie learns about love, death, sportsmanship, and integrity as well as football."
~ Children's Literature
"While the setting is reminiscent of Hinton, and the situation of Chocolate War {BRD 1975, under Cormier, R.}, the characterization is better than the former, and the circumstances of taking a stand less dramatic than the latter....the main character is a credible, sensitivemale adolescent who might possibly appeal to readers like him."
~ VOYA
"...a story that is structurally controlled and capably written. Crutcher's characterization is powerful (especially in the depiction of the tyrannical and bullying football coach) and his protagonist's tender relationships are equally convincing. Above all, this is a story of honor and principles, messages that are achieved without preaching. An unusually fine first novel."
~ Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
~School Library Journal
"...a tightly plotted, compelling talecompassionate, funny and sensitive.''
~ Publisher's Weekly
"Crutcher's talent is evident in Running Loose, in which Louie learns about love, death, sportsmanship, and integrity as well as football."
~ Children's Literature
"While the setting is reminiscent of Hinton, and the situation of Chocolate War {BRD 1975, under Cormier, R.}, the characterization is better than the former, and the circumstances of taking a stand less dramatic than the latter....the main character is a credible, sensitivemale adolescent who might possibly appeal to readers like him."
~ VOYA
"...a story that is structurally controlled and capably written. Crutcher's characterization is powerful (especially in the depiction of the tyrannical and bullying football coach) and his protagonist's tender relationships are equally convincing. Above all, this is a story of honor and principles, messages that are achieved without preaching. An unusually fine first novel."
~ Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Awards
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
Booklist Editor's Choice
ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults
SLJ Best of the Best Book 2000
Nominee, 1988-1989 Iowa Teen Award
Nominee, 1995-1996 ILF Rosie
2003 Mock Printz Survey for 1983
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
Booklist Editor's Choice
ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults
SLJ Best of the Best Book 2000
Nominee, 1988-1989 Iowa Teen Award
Nominee, 1995-1996 ILF Rosie
2003 Mock Printz Survey for 1983
