These six stories from acclaimed author Chris Crutcher are about athletes, but are not simply sports stories. Here he presents characters from some of his best–loved novels, as well as creating some unforgettable new personalities, in tales of love, death, bigotry, heroism, and coming of age. Ages 11+ “Crutcher knows teen issues and how kids think and talk…he mixes poignancy and humor in just the right proportion to keep readers involved.” - ALA Booklist “If the stereotype of the ‘bonehead jock’ is ever to be defeated, it will be at Crutcher’s hands. Compelling enough to engage even the most sedentary readers.” - Publishers Weekly “If the stereotype of the ‘bonehead jock’ is ever to be defeated, it will be at Crutcher’s hands…compelling enough to engage even the most sedentary readers.” - Publishers Weekly “Chris Crutcher changed everything for me. Here were these high school athletes, thinking and talking the way I did, working through real, serious problems, and figuring out what kind of people they wanted to be in this world.” (in “ 12 Authors on the Banned Books They’ll Never Forget” by Jared Reck, author of  A Short History of the Girl Next Door ) - Brightly These six stories from acclaimed author Chris Crutcher are about athletes, but are not simply sports stories. Here he presents characters from some of his best–loved novels, as well as creating some unforgettable new personalities, in tales of love, death, bigotry, heroism, and coming of age. Ages 11+ Chris Crutcher has written nine 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.