Roid Rage

Deborah Dowson is a Canaadian children’s librarian in North Wales,
Pennsylvania.

Craig is more than a little suspicious of his best friend’s stellar
performance on the high-school football team this year. Ray’s
improvement is unbelievable, and Craig pushes him to reveal his secret.
Craig is shocked when Ray describes his program, which involves using
steroid “supplements,” but Ray convinces his friend to give it a
try. At first, Craig is delighted with his new abilities and the
celebrity status he gains as a “super jock.” However, as he starts
to experience unpleasant side effects, he begins to have his doubts.
When Craig loses control to “steroid rage,” he knows he has to quit.
Craig’s struggle is not over though, and he must convince Ray that he
too must quit using the drug.

This intense and suspenseful story is told in a straightforward style
that will appeal to even the most reluctant reader. The voice of the
narrator is young, tough, and honest, and the story is told as if he
were sharing his experiences with a friend. This intimate and
confidential tone lends credibility to the information about steroid use
that is cleverly incorporated into the plot. The warning against steroid
use is presented in a balanced and measured way that teens can relate
to. The short, edgy, sentences, casual vocabulary, and controversial
subject matter make Roid Rage a good choice for high-interest,
low-vocabulary collections for teens. Recommended.