Ironman (1995 novel)

Infobox Book |
name = Ironman
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Chris Crutcher
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Young adult novel
publisher = Harper Collins
release_date = 1995
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 279 pp
isbn = ISBN 0060598409
preceded_by = Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
followed_by = Whale Talk

"Ironman" is a novel by young adult writer Chris Crutcher. It is the story of Beauregard Brewster, a high school student training for a triathlon while also in disputes with his father and English teacher, both of whom exhibit portentous views of masculine authority. The book is written as a combination of traditional third person narrative and epistolary novel through a series of informal letters written by the protagonist to CNN personality Larry King. The novel has received numerous accolades including being recognized by the American Library Association as a “Best Book for Young Adults.” [http://chriscrutcher.com/content/blogcategory/64/53/]

Plot summary

The story takes place in Spokane, Washington where Beauregard Brewster (Bo) lives with his mother and younger brother Jordan. Motivated by years of conflict with his father and a recent dispute with Coach Redmond, Bo’s football coach and English teacher, the teenager trains vigorously for the Yukon Jack Ironman Triathlon. Along the way Bo is forced to enroll in the school’s anger management program, where much to his surprise he meets a wise old shop teacher and a group of supposed delinquents who inspire and support him further in his efforts.

Characters

* Beauregard "Bo" Brewster is the narrator and protagonist. Bo is a humorous character who shares most of his feelings with a diary which he addresses to Larry King. Bo struggles to deal with his parents' divorce and his relationship with his father while he's been forced to join anger management. Bo also attempts to deal with his feelings by training to become a triathlete.

* Mr. Nakasagi is a shop teacher who is in charge of the school's anger management group. Mr. Nak is calm and patient with his "eclectic mix of hard-edged students." Some of the "truants" names are Elvis, Shuja, and Hudgie. Of Asian descent, Mr. Nak has a Texas accent, a cowboy attitude, and the determination of a martial artist.

* Lionel Serbousek is Bo's supportive Journalism teacher and mentor. Bo struggles to cope with his discovery that Mr. Serbousek is a homosexual. Mr. Serbousek is also in Crutcher's other novel, Stotan.

* Shelly is Bo's love interest. She is also enrolled in Mr. Nak's anger management class. Also a disciplined athlete, Shelly helps Bo prepare for the triathlon.

Themes

Like many of Crutcher's other novels, "Ironman" deals with the physical and emotional growth of adolescent athletes.

Some other (potentially controversial) themes the novel touches on include:
* Anger management
* Divorce
* Child Abuse
* Adoption
* Homosexuality

Awards and honors for Ironman

* Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 1996, (ALA)
* Best Books For Young Adults 1996 (ALA)

External links

* [http://www.chriscrutcher.com/ Chris Crutcher official site]
* [http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/HarperChildrens/Kids/BookDetail.aspx?isbn13=9780688135034&BDMode=8/ Harper Collins]
* [http://www.chriscrutcher.com/content/blogcategory/55/44/ A Guide to Teaching Challenged and Banned Books]
* [http://www.chriscrutcher.com/content/blogcategory/53/42/ Help for Educators]
* [http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/044021971X.asp A Review of Ironman]
* [http://blogs.ala.org/oif.php?title=chriscrutcher_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ALA Podcast]
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=H-odqgAxNc8C&pg=PP1&dq=chris+crutcher+ironman&ei=MiH4R8XHKZDAygSqg8zsCg&sig=1oAaIJHWeQHKFrIwbjvC_PB34E0/ Google Books limited preview]
* [http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~kvander/crutcher.html Learning About Chris Crutcher]