There’s bad news and good news about the Cutter High School swim team. The bad news is that they don’t have a pool. The good news is that only one of them can swim anyway. A group of misfits brought together by T. J. Jones (the J is redundant), the Cutter All Night Mermen struggle to find their places in a school that has no place for them. T.J. is convinced that a varsity letter jacket–exclusive, revered, the symbol (as far as T.J. is concerned) of all that is screwed up at Cutter High–will also be an effective tool. He’s right. He’s also wrong. Still, it’s always the quest that counts. And the bus on which the Mermen travel to swim meets soon becomes the space where they gradually allow themselves to talk, to fit, to grow. Together they’ll fight for dignity in a world where tragedy and comedy dance side by side, where a moment’s inattention can bring lifelong heartache, and where true acceptance is the only prescription for what ails us.
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"T. J who is an adopted 17 year old of black, white, Japanese decent, get a group of guys to join the swim team. One of the members deals with brutal bullying. The seven-man swim team members Each of work together to help the bullied, Chris Coughlin. T.J also find friends outside of his swim team that helps give him perspective about his own life. I would recommend this book to 10th-12th grade readers, due to the heavy themes discussed in the book" — Padjet2 (4 out of 5 stars)
"T. J who is an adopted 17 year old of black, white, Japanese decent, get a group of guys to join the swim team. One of the members deals with brutal bullying. The seven-man swim team members Each of work together to help the bullied, Chris Coughlin. T.J also find friends outside of his swim team that helps give him perspective about his own life. I would recommend this book to 10th-12th grade readers, due to the heavy themes discussed in the book"
" A good, thought-provoking, quick read. There is one event in this book that I swear will haunt me forever...but I wont spoil it... "
" I can't believe my favorite book of all time isn't on this list! If you haven't read it, Read it. Now. Just do it. Trust me. "
" baddas The Dow Jones (yes, that's really his name) is on a crusade to earn letterman jackets for the high school misfits. "
" Great for reluctant readers! "
" I read this? What?! "
" I love all the Crutcher books--the good guys always win. This one was a little bit different; felt a little bit more flip than the others did. When you read enough Crutcher, you go into it for deep, deep satisfaction. This one had more tears than usual. "
" inspiring story about swimming, racism, retards, and bullies. "
" This So far Is a Good Book "
" Confusing, at first, but I really do like his writing. "
" young adult, coming of age, high school, friendship, realistic fiction, young adult fiction, bullying, chris crutcher, ya boys, ya, sports, multicultural, swimming, teen fiction, misfits, abuse, courage, adoption "
" At first it seems childish but grows deeper as you progress "
" Its a great book, its deep and dark, but great. I read it years ago and I can still say this author and this book in particular has changed the way I think. Would have zipped through the book, but sometimes it was just too much for me to read at once. "
" I think this was the Crutcher book where I fell off the bandwagon, there is just so much pain going on here, and while I get it, that is the kind of pain there is in the world I guess I just got tired of the same voice, similar story. "
" It is always so hard to classify a YA book which would be valuable for adults to read. This is the first book by Chris Crutcher that I have read and I look forward to reading more. I found it while creating a recommended reading list about interracial families. "
" Interesting story about the many forms prejudice can take. Great characters, interesting plot. (Lots of strong language and mature themes.) Overall, I really liked it. It's my first introduction to this author's work, and I'm very willing to read more. "
" Group of losers forms a swim team to prove themselves against the "jocks" at their clique-y high school. Good story, some language and social problems. "
" good book, this isn't usually a type of book i would read but it was required for school, but i really liked it! the ending is super sad, but if you are going to read this book, read until there's no more pages, GREAT BOOK! would recommend for all! "
" I enjoyed this book and think it is very well written. It tackles some heavy issues including racism and domestic abuse. The central characters have many admirable qualities but I was disturbed by the frequent swearing and casual attitude towards premarital sex. "
" A good re-read from high school! Love Chris Crutcher's YA books :) "
" Loved this book. Worst cover ever and worst jacket ever, but what a great book. "
Chris Crutcher has written several critically acclaimed novels, an autobiography, and two collections of short stories. Drawing on his experience as a family therapist and child protection specialist, Crutcher writes honestly about real issues facing teenagers today: making it through school, competing in sports, handling rejection and failure, and dealing with parents. He has won three lifetime achievement awards for the body of his work: the Margaret A. Edwards Award, the ALAN Award, and the NCTE National Intellectual Freedom Award. Chris Crutcher lives in Spokane, Washington.
Brian Corrigan is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.
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