Rating: 
Summary: Not What I Expected
Review: Ironman, by Chris Crutcher, is a book about a teenage boy and his trials in life. But this isn't any regular boy; this one wants to become an "IRONMAN", by running, swimming, and biking in a triathlon. He also has an anger problem that forces him to enroll in an anger management class. There he meets people he never though he would ever have any kind of relationship with. But the main part of the story is the triathlon. He trains day and night to achieve his goal. I didn't like this book as mush as I though I would. For me the book went very slow. At times it was hard to follow because it jumped around so much. At one point it was talking about what was currently happening then go straight to a story about him and his dad fighting when he was younger. At some points it seemed like the author just kept writing to make the story longer. Many times he would refer back to a story and almost retell it in its entirety. But there is one thing I like about this book, the sometimes extensive details and over story telling would give me lots of insight about the main charter and helped me know wear he was coming from. Another reason I didn't like this book is because it wasn't what I though I would be. When I started this book I though it was going to be full of action and suspense but it wasn't. That didn't really start until the end. So if you like books full of action you probably don't want this. This also may be better for active readers who follow books easily. Me, I follow easily unless I really like a book. As you can I didn't like this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Chris Crutcher's Best
Review: My first Crutcher book was Stotan!, but Ironman is definitely my favorite of all of his books. Crutcher really knows how to accuately portray a tennagers mind, and make the reader sympathize with Bo. Although I usually don't like books with males as main characters, but Chris Crutchers books, especially Ironman is one of my all time favorite books!
Rating: 
Summary: "Welcome Back Kotter", with realistic accuracy! ious
Review: The book is for young adults, and I happen to be an old adult. I connected completely. The feelings of young people and why they behave the way they do are accurately portrayed. If you have ever been a serious athlete, you will recognize the accuracy of the training and preparation descriptions. I can say that this is one of the best books of its type I have ever read. It is both funny and tragic. It made me laugh, and it made me cry; and still the overall theme is uplifting. I think all youngsters should be required to read this one!
Rating:
Summary: Ironman wins the gold for teenagers.
Review: The hardest part of reading Ironman is the narrative flow. The story begins with Beauregard Brewster or 'Beau' writing letters to his favorite talk show host, Larry King. Through it we gain insight into Beau's passion for training to compete in triathalons. In the letter he talks about his latest problem, yelling at his English teacher/football coach. This leads to him being put into Mr. Nak's anger management group with misfits. As we read along the story becomes clearer and focused. Beau's parents are divorced, but his father still has a negative effect in his life becoming an adult. We discover Beau's unwillingness to bend under his father's harsh parenting techniques. Beau is truly a sympathetic character many teens can identify with. In anger management, Beau forms a relationship with Shelly, a future American Gladiator. The anger management group of misfits argue and bond over their personal demons representing many problems teen face. Through it all Mr. Nak teaches about allowing for mercy in even the saddest tragedies. Eventually the story comes to a climax as Beau must compete against the odds in a triathalon. However, his father's involvement may stack the odds even further against him. Crutcher's excellent creation of antagonists pressures and helps bring out the shining best in his protagonists.
A spectacular story about friendship, compassion and the Stotan way of determination.
Rating:
Summary: Ironman wins the gold for teenagers.
Review: The hardest part of reading Ironman is the narrative flow. The story begins with Beauregard Brewster or 'Beau' writing letters to his favorite talk show host, Larry King. Through it we gain insight into Beau's passion for training to compete in triathalons. In the letter he talks about his latest problem, yelling at his English teacher/football coach. This leads to him being put into Mr. Nak's anger management group with misfits. As we read along the story becomes clearer and focused. Beau's parents are divorced, but his father still has a negative effect in his life becoming an adult. We discover Beau's unwillingness to bend under his father's harsh parenting techniques. Beau is truly a sympathetic character many teens can identify with. In anger management, Beau forms a relationship with Shelly, a future American Gladiator. The anger management group of misfits argue and bond over their personal demons representing many problems teen face. Through it all Mr. Nak teaches about allowing for mercy in even the saddest tragedies. Eventually the story comes to a climax as Beau must compete against the odds in a triathalon. However, his father's involvement may stack the odds even further against him. Crutcher's excellent creation of antagonists pressures and helps bring out the shining best in his protagonists.
A spectacular story about friendship, compassion and the Stotan way of determination.
Rating:
Summary: Ironman wins the gold for teenagers
Review: The hardest part to get past in most books written by Chris Crutcher is the narrative flow. Ironman begins with the main character, Beauregard Brewster or Beau, writing a letter to his favorite talkshow personality, Larry King. In it we see insight into his personality and his passion for triathlons. As we read on we learn he is being sent to an anger management class due to an altercation with the hard as nails football coach; an embodiment of all he loathe's in his own father. There Beau meets Mr. Nak, who presides over the troubled anger management group. And there he finds himself surrounded by other angry teenagers who have been dealt a harsh life. Further into the story, we discover Beau is labeled a quitter by the school, coaches and his own father; a write-off for almost all those involved with competitive sports. Ironically, Beau's past shows his unwillingness to bend to his father; who seems to believe crushing the son's spirit is an appropriate parenting technique. Crutcher succeeds in developing a truly sympathetic underdog character. Beau's journey through anger managerment is an amazing look into personal demons some teens face. As the characters in anger management develop, Beau begins a relationship with Shelly, a future American Gladiator and an anger management group veteran.
Eventually things come to a head when Beau has to compete in a triathalon where the odds are stacked against him. Worse yet, his father conspires with his opponents to completely crush his spirit. Some people may misunderstand and call antagonists too two-dimensional, it follows Crutcher's "pull no punches" antagonism to bring out the shining best in the protagonists.
Through it all, Mr. Nak teaches about finding mercy in the hardest tradegies of life. A spectacular story with many themes of friendship, compassion, and determination of true Stotans!
Rating:
Summary: Ironman wins the gold for teenagers
Review: The hardest part to get past in most books written by Chris Crutcher is the narrative flow. Ironman begins with the main character, Beauregard Brewster or Beau, writing a letter to his favorite talkshow personality, Larry King. In it we see insight into his personality and his passion for triathlons. As we read on we learn he is being sent to an anger management class due to an altercation with the hard as nails football coach; an embodiment of all he loathe's in his own father. There Beau meets Mr. Nak, who presides over the troubled anger management group. And there he finds himself surrounded by other angry teenagers who have been dealt a harsh life. Further into the story, we discover Beau is labeled a quitter by the school, coaches and his own father; a write-off for almost all those involved with competitive sports. Ironically, Beau's past shows his unwillingness to bend to his father; who seems to believe crushing the son's spirit is an appropriate parenting technique. Crutcher succeeds in developing a truly sympathetic underdog character. Beau's journey through anger managerment is an amazing look into personal demons some teens face. As the characters in anger management develop, Beau begins a relationship with Shelly, a future American Gladiator and an anger management group veteran.
Eventually things come to a head when Beau has to compete in a triathalon where the odds are stacked against him. Worse yet, his father conspires with his opponents to completely crush his spirit. Some people may misunderstand and call antagonists too two-dimensional, it follows Crutcher's "pull no punches" antagonism to bring out the shining best in the protagonists.
Through it all, Mr. Nak teaches about finding mercy in the hardest tradegies of life. A spectacular story with many themes of friendship, compassion, and determination of true Stotans!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfull
Review: This book honostly and relistically captures real life situations and informs young adults about reality. Very few young adult authors are willing to do this. Congradulations!
Rating: 
Summary: Held with an iron grip
Review: This book is so good because Bo Brewster, the main character, faces many problems that regular adolescents go through. Written as letters to a radio talk show host, it captures true feelings while also being humorous. Not only does it deal with anger at school and home, but love and courage as well. This story depicts issues that many authors shy away from, even though they are everyday occurances. These include bullies, abuse and teacher/student relationships. This heart felt story has humor, suspense, romance and action all rolled into one. I recommend this book to all readers ages 13-17, since the book is based on teen life. ~ C. Drummer
Rating:
Summary: MASTERPIECE
Review: This book is so powerful and absolutely overflows with drama. It is such a life changing book. It made me sit back and re-examine my beliefs and how I am with children. I realized that their lives are the most precious on earth and we should do all we can to protect them at all costs. I actually got the chance to meet Chris Crutcher at an English Festival, and he is about the coolest old guy you'll ever meet.
| 
