There were many quotes from Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher, that had a very strong meaning that I liked.
The first quote is when Washington tells Louie that he is his hero. ‘“I been watchin’ you run; you’re my hero,”’ said Washington (Crutcher, p.207). Most people have heroes in their life or people they would like to be like. If someone came up to me and told me I was their hero for something I would be so honored. I am sure Louie felt very honored when Washington told him that.
The second quote is when Coach Madison is giving Louie last minute tips before he has to run his race against Washington. ‘“Run your race,”’ Madison said (Crutcher, p.210). This quote may seem like nothing, but it means a lot. When you are competing in something you should always compete against yourself, not anyone else. You should try to increase you score or time from last time you competed in that event. Not try and beat everyone else. Working to increasing your score or time will only make you better at that event.
There is one quote that I thought is very mean and racist towards black people said by Coach Lednecky. ‘“I played with blacks up at the U, and there’s only one way you can stop them. That’s to hurt ‘em”’ (Crutcher, p.48). Just because someone has a different skin color than you or may have more athletic talent then you does not mean you should go and try to hurt them to get them out of the game. You may actually learn something from them by observing how they play the game.
The third quote is when Louie decides to quite the football team due to Boomer accomplishing Coach Lednecky’s plan of hurting Washington to get him out of the game. ‘“I wouldn’t play another down of Trout football if you were holding my mother hostage! That was a setup, and you know it!”’ (Crutcher, p.65). That was brave of Louie to stand up for his beliefs and quite the football team. He did the right thing. Many people disliked him afterwards, but he didn’t mind because he know what he did was right.
Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher, had many quotes that I thought had a strong meaning to them.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Blog 2
My favorite part of the book Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher, was the ending. It all started when Louie and Coach Madison went to tell Principle Jasper and Coach Lednecky that Louie would be joining the track team to run the mile and two mile.
I liked how Coach Madison told Louie that when he was practicing for his events that he should just run as far as he could run and then turn around and go home. There was no need to worry about racing a clock or about beating someone else. Then when it came to the race Louie was just to run as fast and hard as he could. He was to still not worry about racing the clock. If anything he was just to race against himself and try to get a better time every time he ran a race.
I thought it was neat that the author had Washington come up to Louie at regionals and tell Louie that he respected him for standing up for him at the football game, even though everyone was angry at Louie for doing that.
I also thought it was cool how the author had Washington tell Louie that Louie was his hero when it came to running. I bet you that made Louie feel really good about himself. It probably gave him a huge boost of confidence as well.
When Louie was running the two mile race against Washington I thought the author used great detail so the reader could picture the whole race in the head. All of the details also made that part of the story more suspenseful. After the race you could really feel how exhausted and in pain Louie and Washington were because of the authors detail.
After Becky died I feel that it was nice of Boomer to start being kind to Louie. He really needed all of the help and support that he could get at that time of his life. Also, when Louie would run a race Boomer would cheer for him, which showed he cared. Boomer would of never done that earlier in the year. He would of probably yelled something out that was rude or mean. Then after the race he would of gone over and said something mean again. I think that Boomer started to figure out at the end of the book that being nice and respectful to people is much more rewarding than being rude and disrespectful.
Louie learned to respect himself at the end of the story. After finally being able to regain himself after Becky’s death, finding a sport that he really loved, and making and repairing friendships Louie became a much stronger person. When you compare Louie at the beginning of the story and Louie at the end of the story there are a lot of positive changes he made to himself.
The end of Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher, is my favorite part of the book. : )
I liked how Coach Madison told Louie that when he was practicing for his events that he should just run as far as he could run and then turn around and go home. There was no need to worry about racing a clock or about beating someone else. Then when it came to the race Louie was just to run as fast and hard as he could. He was to still not worry about racing the clock. If anything he was just to race against himself and try to get a better time every time he ran a race.
I thought it was neat that the author had Washington come up to Louie at regionals and tell Louie that he respected him for standing up for him at the football game, even though everyone was angry at Louie for doing that.
I also thought it was cool how the author had Washington tell Louie that Louie was his hero when it came to running. I bet you that made Louie feel really good about himself. It probably gave him a huge boost of confidence as well.
When Louie was running the two mile race against Washington I thought the author used great detail so the reader could picture the whole race in the head. All of the details also made that part of the story more suspenseful. After the race you could really feel how exhausted and in pain Louie and Washington were because of the authors detail.
After Becky died I feel that it was nice of Boomer to start being kind to Louie. He really needed all of the help and support that he could get at that time of his life. Also, when Louie would run a race Boomer would cheer for him, which showed he cared. Boomer would of never done that earlier in the year. He would of probably yelled something out that was rude or mean. Then after the race he would of gone over and said something mean again. I think that Boomer started to figure out at the end of the book that being nice and respectful to people is much more rewarding than being rude and disrespectful.
Louie learned to respect himself at the end of the story. After finally being able to regain himself after Becky’s death, finding a sport that he really loved, and making and repairing friendships Louie became a much stronger person. When you compare Louie at the beginning of the story and Louie at the end of the story there are a lot of positive changes he made to himself.
The end of Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher, is my favorite part of the book. : )
Blog 1
If I were to rate the book, Running Loose by Chris Crutcher, I would give it a seven-point-five out of ten. I enjoyed reading Running Loose. It made me think of situations that any teenager could go through. There were some jokes and events that were put in the story that were not needed. Especially if there are younger kids reading this story.
The author used great detail in the story to make me feel like I was actually there watching the whole thing. When Louie stood up for Washington after he got hit by Boomer you could really feel Louie’s anger compared to everyone else’s. Everyone else was glad that Washington was out of the game because with him in Louie’s team would have lost the game. You could tell that the crowd was happy that Washington was out of the game.
The book Running Loose had an easy plot to follow. It was very easy to understand and remember the order of events that happened in the book. I feel that the author did a great job accomplishing this. Doing this the author eliminated all confusion that the readers would have about the book.
This book was very hard to put down. All of the events that happened in them were very unexpected or unique. I would always want to keep reading to find out what would happen next. There was never a boring moment in the book.
The author did a great job ending Running Loose. I don’t think that I could think of a better way to end the story. It also kind of makes you think of what will happen with Louie in the future.
I like how the author made each character in the story unique and different from one another. It is easy to know who is who and predict what the character will be up to next. The reader could also tell the feelings and emotions of a character without trying to hard.
Seeing all the racism against Washington is sad. It hard to think that someone would actually hate someone for being a different skin color than they are. I guess that it is good that the author put that in the story, though. It makes you think more about it and be more aware of it when you are out in public.
When the author had Washington come over and thank Louie for sticking up for him I thought that was kind of cool. It just comes to show you that when you stick up for someone that is being made fun of, they really appreciate it.
If I were to rate Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher, I would give it a seven-point-five out of ten. There were a few situations that I thought were inappropriate for younger readers. The whole story made me think of situations that can happen in school, sports, or anywhere in public. Overall, I thought that Running Loose was an excellent book.
The author used great detail in the story to make me feel like I was actually there watching the whole thing. When Louie stood up for Washington after he got hit by Boomer you could really feel Louie’s anger compared to everyone else’s. Everyone else was glad that Washington was out of the game because with him in Louie’s team would have lost the game. You could tell that the crowd was happy that Washington was out of the game.
The book Running Loose had an easy plot to follow. It was very easy to understand and remember the order of events that happened in the book. I feel that the author did a great job accomplishing this. Doing this the author eliminated all confusion that the readers would have about the book.
This book was very hard to put down. All of the events that happened in them were very unexpected or unique. I would always want to keep reading to find out what would happen next. There was never a boring moment in the book.
The author did a great job ending Running Loose. I don’t think that I could think of a better way to end the story. It also kind of makes you think of what will happen with Louie in the future.
I like how the author made each character in the story unique and different from one another. It is easy to know who is who and predict what the character will be up to next. The reader could also tell the feelings and emotions of a character without trying to hard.
Seeing all the racism against Washington is sad. It hard to think that someone would actually hate someone for being a different skin color than they are. I guess that it is good that the author put that in the story, though. It makes you think more about it and be more aware of it when you are out in public.
When the author had Washington come over and thank Louie for sticking up for him I thought that was kind of cool. It just comes to show you that when you stick up for someone that is being made fun of, they really appreciate it.
If I were to rate Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher, I would give it a seven-point-five out of ten. There were a few situations that I thought were inappropriate for younger readers. The whole story made me think of situations that can happen in school, sports, or anywhere in public. Overall, I thought that Running Loose was an excellent book.
Work Cited
Works Cited
Crutcher, Chris. Running Loose. New York: HarperCollins Publications, 1983.
Jaeger, Mads. "A World With or Without Human Rights." Racism Around The World. 3. On-line. Internet. 15 January 2008. Available:http://library.thinkquest.org/28172/rarounw2.htm
"Racism." The New Webster's Dictionary, 1986.
Research About Racism
Racism is an important, but serious issue that comes up in Running Loose. Lednecky, the coach of Trout’s football team, feels that the only way to win against Salmon River is to hit Washington, and African American boy, hard enough where he will get hurt and be out for the rest of the game. Lednecky also think that African Americans dominate in sports and there is no way to beat them unless they are unable to play. That is not a kind way to think.
What is racism? A belief that race accounts for difference in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others; discrimination or prejudice based on race (Mifflin)
Facts About Racism –
· 75% of all racism in this country is not intended.
· African Americans ages 12 are the most victimized group in America.
· Unemployment for African Americans is about twice as big as Whites (Jaeger).
· In 1993 7 out of 10 fights were motivated by racism (Jaeger).
· African Americans make up 12% of the population, but 48% of the prison inmates (Jaeger).
My Thoughts On Racism – I think that racism is all wrong. It is not fair to treat people a different way because of their skin color. Everyone should be treated equal. I know that a lot of the time someone will say something racist, but not even realize they did. It has probably happened to everyone before by mistake. I feel that everyone should be more careful on what they say about someone of a different race. If everyone would just think about what they are going to say before they say it, we might eliminate some of the racism that is said my mistake. Just think about it. How would you like it if someone was purposely being rude to you because of how you looked? I know I would get very upset if someone talked to me like that. I think that it is good that Chris Crutcher wrote a book with racism in it. That way the readers will start to be more aware of people’s behavior towards others around them. Overall, I think racism is a very bad thing that we should start to take action against. Even if it’s as little as telling someone you see saying something to another person, of a difference race, to stop.
What is racism? A belief that race accounts for difference in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others; discrimination or prejudice based on race (Mifflin)
Facts About Racism –
· 75% of all racism in this country is not intended.
· African Americans ages 12 are the most victimized group in America.
· Unemployment for African Americans is about twice as big as Whites (Jaeger).
· In 1993 7 out of 10 fights were motivated by racism (Jaeger).
· African Americans make up 12% of the population, but 48% of the prison inmates (Jaeger).
My Thoughts On Racism – I think that racism is all wrong. It is not fair to treat people a different way because of their skin color. Everyone should be treated equal. I know that a lot of the time someone will say something racist, but not even realize they did. It has probably happened to everyone before by mistake. I feel that everyone should be more careful on what they say about someone of a different race. If everyone would just think about what they are going to say before they say it, we might eliminate some of the racism that is said my mistake. Just think about it. How would you like it if someone was purposely being rude to you because of how you looked? I know I would get very upset if someone talked to me like that. I think that it is good that Chris Crutcher wrote a book with racism in it. That way the readers will start to be more aware of people’s behavior towards others around them. Overall, I think racism is a very bad thing that we should start to take action against. Even if it’s as little as telling someone you see saying something to another person, of a difference race, to stop.
Evaluation of the Novel
Six+1 Traits of Writing
Ideas and Content – The author had clear ideas while writing Running Loose. He stayed on topic throughout the whole book. This book was very original. I have never read a book similar to this one before. When the author was talking about racism, death, and abuse he added interesting details that made you want to keep reading to find out more on what he had to say about those topics.
Organization – Running Loose had a plot that was easy to follow. From the moment I started reading the book I couldn’t put it down. There was always something happening in the book. Weather it was exciting or sad I still kept reading to find out what would happen in the end. All of the events fit together very well due to the smooth transitions the author put in the book. The end of the book was funny. I feel that the author could have ended it a different way, though. It didn’t seem very strong and memorable. All in all, the book was very easy to follow and remember what was happening.
Individual Voice – The author has a very strong voice in Running Loose. He is not afraid to say what he think about racism, death, and abuse. It is easy to tell that the author has also experienced or witnessed these events in his life. He feels that racism and abuse are wrong and death is a very sad thing. The author believes that everyone should be treated equal, too. There are events the author put in the story that makes it easier for teenagers to connect to the story. It is always nice to read a story you can connect to.
Word Choice – The author used great word choice while writing Running Loose. I would always get this great detail picture in my mind while reading. I love when authors do that because it makes the story easier to understand. The author didn’t use boring everyday words. He used words that were active and exciting or sad and calm depending upon the situation. Also, he used different length sentences in the book. It’s nice when an author does that because you don’t get sick and tired of the same length sentences. The only thing I didn’t like about the word choice was he used a lot of swearing. That got to be a little annoying after a while and wasn’t always needed. Overall, I was happy with the author’s word choice.
Sentence Fluency – The author wrote Running Loose with great sentence fluency. Pretty much all of the sentences came out naturally and had a nice rhythm to go along with them. All of the sentences were different lengths, which was nice. Also, the author used smooth transition words to get from one subject to the next.
Conventions – Since Running Loose is a published book all of the conventions were great. The spelling, punctuation, grammar, and capitalization were all perfect. It would also be easy to read out loud if you wanted to.
Presentation – Once again, since Running Loose is a published book it followed the appropriate format needed. I did really like the picture on the cover of the book. It was unique.
Ideas and Content – The author had clear ideas while writing Running Loose. He stayed on topic throughout the whole book. This book was very original. I have never read a book similar to this one before. When the author was talking about racism, death, and abuse he added interesting details that made you want to keep reading to find out more on what he had to say about those topics.
Organization – Running Loose had a plot that was easy to follow. From the moment I started reading the book I couldn’t put it down. There was always something happening in the book. Weather it was exciting or sad I still kept reading to find out what would happen in the end. All of the events fit together very well due to the smooth transitions the author put in the book. The end of the book was funny. I feel that the author could have ended it a different way, though. It didn’t seem very strong and memorable. All in all, the book was very easy to follow and remember what was happening.
Individual Voice – The author has a very strong voice in Running Loose. He is not afraid to say what he think about racism, death, and abuse. It is easy to tell that the author has also experienced or witnessed these events in his life. He feels that racism and abuse are wrong and death is a very sad thing. The author believes that everyone should be treated equal, too. There are events the author put in the story that makes it easier for teenagers to connect to the story. It is always nice to read a story you can connect to.
Word Choice – The author used great word choice while writing Running Loose. I would always get this great detail picture in my mind while reading. I love when authors do that because it makes the story easier to understand. The author didn’t use boring everyday words. He used words that were active and exciting or sad and calm depending upon the situation. Also, he used different length sentences in the book. It’s nice when an author does that because you don’t get sick and tired of the same length sentences. The only thing I didn’t like about the word choice was he used a lot of swearing. That got to be a little annoying after a while and wasn’t always needed. Overall, I was happy with the author’s word choice.
Sentence Fluency – The author wrote Running Loose with great sentence fluency. Pretty much all of the sentences came out naturally and had a nice rhythm to go along with them. All of the sentences were different lengths, which was nice. Also, the author used smooth transition words to get from one subject to the next.
Conventions – Since Running Loose is a published book all of the conventions were great. The spelling, punctuation, grammar, and capitalization were all perfect. It would also be easy to read out loud if you wanted to.
Presentation – Once again, since Running Loose is a published book it followed the appropriate format needed. I did really like the picture on the cover of the book. It was unique.
Background Infomation
Summary: The novel Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher, is a book about a seventeen year old boy named Louie Banks who learns how to deal with death, child abuse, and racism. Louie is a senior at Trout High School and plays on their football team. Trout is such a small town that they only play eight man football. For two years in a row now Trout has been the state champions in eight man football. Louie really wants to be a started this year, so during the summer he and Carter, his best friend, have been doing two-a-days. Carter is a great football player and will probably get a scholarship to go play football somewhere. When the season started Louie got to be a starter. Trout also has been winning all of their games, just as expected. When it came time to play Salmon River, the team that was in second place, Coach Lednecky, the coach of the Trout’s football team, had a different plan for this game. He knew it would be hard to beat the guys. Also, Salmon River had a new addition to the team. It was an African American boy named Washington. He was their secret weapon. Coach Lednecky knew that the only way to get a guaranteed win is to hit Washington hard enough that he will be hurt and be out of the game. Coach Lednecky’s plan worked. Boomer, a boy with a bad attitude, ran full speed at Washington and hit him pretty hard. Washington was taken to the hospital to see if anything was broken, lucky nothing was. Louie got very upset that the refs didn’t call a flag on that play. Louie also knew that Lednecky was happy about what happened. So Louie just walked right off the field and decided never to play football again. Carter, Louie’s girlfriend Becky, and his parents all supported him in his decision of quitting the football team. Trout, however, did end up winning another state championship. During the winter Louie got into cross-country skiing. He and Becky even skied up to her parents’ cabin to spend the night up there. Louie had been nervous about the trip because he felt the pressure to have sex with Becky. Once they got up there Louie told Becky about how he felt, and Becky totally respected his decision. They learned a lot about each other that night. A short while after that, Louie received some bad news about Becky. Apparently, Becky had been driving over a bridge and a motorcycle had been driving out of control, so she swerved her car to avoid hitting them. Accidently, Becky drove her car off the side of the bridge and into the river. She died almost instantly. Louie couldn’t believe the news. He was devastated. When it came time for the funeral Louie didn’t go. He said it would be too hard for him to see her in her coffin. It took a couple months for Louie to get back to his normal self. Meanwhile, Coach Madison, the assistant football coach and the coach for the track team, asked Louie if he would like to join track. Louie said sure, maybe it would help him get his mind off of Becky’s death. Louie had never run track before, so Coach Madison gave him track shoes, and told him a little bit about the sport. Louie had decided to compete the mile and two mile run. He did excellent at both. Louie made it to regionals, in the two mile. He placed fourth, and only the top three places go to state. Overall, Louie was very proud of his accomplishments he made in track and becoming a more mature teenager. In one year Louie has learned more about life than he ever has in the past. Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher, is a great book dealing with issues that teenagers’ might have to face in their life.
Setting: Running Loose takes place in Trout, Idaho. Trout is a very small town with less than 125 people in it. Also, it takes place in the present.
Character Description and Development:
Louie Banks – Louie is the main character in this story. He played football for Trout high school football, and he run track for Trout, too. Louie is a senior in high school and life hasn’t been treating him so good, but with the help of his close friends and his parents he is able to get through it. First, Louie witnesses an act of racism when his football coach decides that someone on the team was to purposely hurt an African American boy, Washington, who plays for Salmon River. Getting him out of the game will give Trout a guaranteed win. All his football coach cares about is winning. When Washington does get hit and hurt Louie gets very upset that the refs didn’t call a flag on the play. Actually, he gets so angry that he just walks off the field and quits football. That was his last game ever. Louie’s parents and friends were very proud of him for standing up for what he believed in. At that time, too, Louie had an amazing girlfriend, Becky, who helped him forget about everything. Becky did not force Louie to do anything that he didn’t want to do. Becky and Louie’s relationship was starting to get really serious when a tragedy struck. Becky had driven her car off a bridge trying to avoid a motorcycle. She died almost immediately. Louie was devastated. Everyone who was really close to Louie helped comfort him during this sad time of his life. It took a couple of months before Louie felt better and was back to his normal self. Louie also took up track to help get his mind off of Becky. He made it to state in the mile and two mile. By the end of Louie’s senior year of high school, Louie had become much more mature and grown up then he was before the school year started.
Becky Sanders – Becky was Louie’s girlfriend. Everyone guy in the school had a crush on her. Becky asked Louie out after a football game. Becky was a cheerleader for the football team. That is how she knew Louie. Becky was so respectful of all of Louie’s decisions. When Louie quite the football team, she even offered to quite cheerleading because she just did it for exercise. Louie said she didn’t have to, though. When Louie and Becky went cross-country skiing up to Becky’s cabin to spend the night, Louie was yet ready to have sex. Becky respected Louie’s choice. That night they learned a lot about each other. One day when Becky was driving over a bridge, a motorcycle was swerving on the road. Becky turned her car so she wouldn’t hit it. Becky ended up going over the edge and into the river. She died almost immediately. Louie couldn’t believe what had happened. Becky had taught Louie a lot about life and Louie loved Becky to death.
Carter Sampson – Carter is Louie’s best friend. Carter is also an amazing athlete. He plays quarterback on Trout’s high school football team. Carter is the best player on the team. He has a good chance that he will get a college scholarship for football. Carter also felt really bad and didn’t agree with what happened with the Washington situation. He never really did anything about it, though. Carter just let it fly past him. He did, however, respect Louie’s choice of quitting the football team. Carter was a really good friend to Louie through out the whole book. He helped Louie get through all of the tough times in his life.
Boomer Cowans – Boomer is kind of the bully in the story. He is always trying to pick fights with Louie or Carter. His behavior reflects on how he is treated at home. Boomer’s dad is very abusive to him. There are many times that Boomer has been beaten by his dad for being disrespectful. Boomer was the one who tackled Washington and hurt him. After Becky dies, Boomer starts being nicer to Louie. He realizes that Louie needs all the help he can get, to get over Becky’s death. Boomer, at the end of the story, becomes a more mature teenager than he was before.
Washington – Washington is an African American boy who plays football and runs track for Salmon River. He was the quarterback for the football team and runs the sprints for the track team. During the football game where Salmon River plays Trout, Washington was the one who got hurt because of Coach Lednecky’s plan. He was taken to the hospital, but luckily he didn’t break anything. During Salmon River’s track meet against Trout, Washington came up Louie and told him that he respected Louie for standing up for him. Washington and Louie became friends.
Norm Banks – Norm is Louie’s dad. They have a great relationship. Louie has a lot of respect for his father and Norm has a lot of respect for Louie. They can talk to each other about anything. Norm has helped Louie get through all of the tough times in his life.
Brenda Banks – Brenda is Louie’s mom. They too have a great relationship. Brenda does a lot to make Louie happy. She backs up her son in all of the major decisions he has made. Brenda is very proud of Louie for being able to stick up for what he believes in.
Coach Lednecky – Lednecky is the coach of Trout’s high school football team. He has lead the team to two state championships in a row and he is ready to make it three. Lednecky will do anything to win another state championship, which includes purposely hurting Washington to get him out of the game. With Washington out, Lednecky know that they’ll win for sure. The sad thing about him is that he is racist. After the game against Salmon River Lednecky denies ever telling his team to purposely knock out Washington, so he wouldn’t get fired from his job of course. Coach Lednecky does not deserve to be the coach of Trout’s football team.
Coach Madison – Madison is the assistant coach of Trout’s football team and the coach of the track team. Madison was totally against the whole Washington situation, but Lednecky didn’t care. After that football season was over Madison said he would never coach again with Lednecky. He also back up Louie with his decision of quitting the football team. When track season came along Madison really wanted Louie to join track to run the mile and the two mile. Louie agreed to. Madison gave Louie great tips on how to train. Those tips worked because Louie got to go to regionals. Coach Madison and Louie had a great relationship.
Principle Jasper – Jasper is the principle of Trout High School. Jasper agrees with everything Lednecky says. It seems like Lednecky has power over Jasper. It should not be that way. Jasper also loves sports. He decided to take Louie out of extracurricular actives because of Louie’s behavior at the Salmon River football game. A little later in the year Madison convinces Jasper to let Louie run track under certain circumstances. Jasper does not really get along with anybody in Trout except for Lednecky.
Mr. Sanders – Mr. Sanders is Becky’s dad. Becky and Mr. Sanders were best friends, they told each other everything. Becky just lived with her dad because her parents got divorced and her and her mom always got into fights. When Becky died Mr. Sanders had a really hard time getting over it. Since Louie and Becky had been dating, Louie came over almost every day to visit Mr. Sanders. Louie and Mr. Sanders relationship grew. By the end of the book they had become very close friends. They sat and talked about pretty much everything. Mr. Sanders became like a second father to Louie.
Dakota – Dakota is an older man that works at the same bar Louie does. Dakota never finished fourth grade, but he sure knows a lot about life. Whenever Louie is in a tough situation or needs help Dakota is always there ready to give him advice. Every time Dakota gives Louie advice it helps him so much, and he is able to get through the situation so much quicker and with a more positive attitude.
Setting: Running Loose takes place in Trout, Idaho. Trout is a very small town with less than 125 people in it. Also, it takes place in the present.
Character Description and Development:
Louie Banks – Louie is the main character in this story. He played football for Trout high school football, and he run track for Trout, too. Louie is a senior in high school and life hasn’t been treating him so good, but with the help of his close friends and his parents he is able to get through it. First, Louie witnesses an act of racism when his football coach decides that someone on the team was to purposely hurt an African American boy, Washington, who plays for Salmon River. Getting him out of the game will give Trout a guaranteed win. All his football coach cares about is winning. When Washington does get hit and hurt Louie gets very upset that the refs didn’t call a flag on the play. Actually, he gets so angry that he just walks off the field and quits football. That was his last game ever. Louie’s parents and friends were very proud of him for standing up for what he believed in. At that time, too, Louie had an amazing girlfriend, Becky, who helped him forget about everything. Becky did not force Louie to do anything that he didn’t want to do. Becky and Louie’s relationship was starting to get really serious when a tragedy struck. Becky had driven her car off a bridge trying to avoid a motorcycle. She died almost immediately. Louie was devastated. Everyone who was really close to Louie helped comfort him during this sad time of his life. It took a couple of months before Louie felt better and was back to his normal self. Louie also took up track to help get his mind off of Becky. He made it to state in the mile and two mile. By the end of Louie’s senior year of high school, Louie had become much more mature and grown up then he was before the school year started.
Becky Sanders – Becky was Louie’s girlfriend. Everyone guy in the school had a crush on her. Becky asked Louie out after a football game. Becky was a cheerleader for the football team. That is how she knew Louie. Becky was so respectful of all of Louie’s decisions. When Louie quite the football team, she even offered to quite cheerleading because she just did it for exercise. Louie said she didn’t have to, though. When Louie and Becky went cross-country skiing up to Becky’s cabin to spend the night, Louie was yet ready to have sex. Becky respected Louie’s choice. That night they learned a lot about each other. One day when Becky was driving over a bridge, a motorcycle was swerving on the road. Becky turned her car so she wouldn’t hit it. Becky ended up going over the edge and into the river. She died almost immediately. Louie couldn’t believe what had happened. Becky had taught Louie a lot about life and Louie loved Becky to death.
Carter Sampson – Carter is Louie’s best friend. Carter is also an amazing athlete. He plays quarterback on Trout’s high school football team. Carter is the best player on the team. He has a good chance that he will get a college scholarship for football. Carter also felt really bad and didn’t agree with what happened with the Washington situation. He never really did anything about it, though. Carter just let it fly past him. He did, however, respect Louie’s choice of quitting the football team. Carter was a really good friend to Louie through out the whole book. He helped Louie get through all of the tough times in his life.
Boomer Cowans – Boomer is kind of the bully in the story. He is always trying to pick fights with Louie or Carter. His behavior reflects on how he is treated at home. Boomer’s dad is very abusive to him. There are many times that Boomer has been beaten by his dad for being disrespectful. Boomer was the one who tackled Washington and hurt him. After Becky dies, Boomer starts being nicer to Louie. He realizes that Louie needs all the help he can get, to get over Becky’s death. Boomer, at the end of the story, becomes a more mature teenager than he was before.
Washington – Washington is an African American boy who plays football and runs track for Salmon River. He was the quarterback for the football team and runs the sprints for the track team. During the football game where Salmon River plays Trout, Washington was the one who got hurt because of Coach Lednecky’s plan. He was taken to the hospital, but luckily he didn’t break anything. During Salmon River’s track meet against Trout, Washington came up Louie and told him that he respected Louie for standing up for him. Washington and Louie became friends.
Norm Banks – Norm is Louie’s dad. They have a great relationship. Louie has a lot of respect for his father and Norm has a lot of respect for Louie. They can talk to each other about anything. Norm has helped Louie get through all of the tough times in his life.
Brenda Banks – Brenda is Louie’s mom. They too have a great relationship. Brenda does a lot to make Louie happy. She backs up her son in all of the major decisions he has made. Brenda is very proud of Louie for being able to stick up for what he believes in.
Coach Lednecky – Lednecky is the coach of Trout’s high school football team. He has lead the team to two state championships in a row and he is ready to make it three. Lednecky will do anything to win another state championship, which includes purposely hurting Washington to get him out of the game. With Washington out, Lednecky know that they’ll win for sure. The sad thing about him is that he is racist. After the game against Salmon River Lednecky denies ever telling his team to purposely knock out Washington, so he wouldn’t get fired from his job of course. Coach Lednecky does not deserve to be the coach of Trout’s football team.
Coach Madison – Madison is the assistant coach of Trout’s football team and the coach of the track team. Madison was totally against the whole Washington situation, but Lednecky didn’t care. After that football season was over Madison said he would never coach again with Lednecky. He also back up Louie with his decision of quitting the football team. When track season came along Madison really wanted Louie to join track to run the mile and the two mile. Louie agreed to. Madison gave Louie great tips on how to train. Those tips worked because Louie got to go to regionals. Coach Madison and Louie had a great relationship.
Principle Jasper – Jasper is the principle of Trout High School. Jasper agrees with everything Lednecky says. It seems like Lednecky has power over Jasper. It should not be that way. Jasper also loves sports. He decided to take Louie out of extracurricular actives because of Louie’s behavior at the Salmon River football game. A little later in the year Madison convinces Jasper to let Louie run track under certain circumstances. Jasper does not really get along with anybody in Trout except for Lednecky.
Mr. Sanders – Mr. Sanders is Becky’s dad. Becky and Mr. Sanders were best friends, they told each other everything. Becky just lived with her dad because her parents got divorced and her and her mom always got into fights. When Becky died Mr. Sanders had a really hard time getting over it. Since Louie and Becky had been dating, Louie came over almost every day to visit Mr. Sanders. Louie and Mr. Sanders relationship grew. By the end of the book they had become very close friends. They sat and talked about pretty much everything. Mr. Sanders became like a second father to Louie.
Dakota – Dakota is an older man that works at the same bar Louie does. Dakota never finished fourth grade, but he sure knows a lot about life. Whenever Louie is in a tough situation or needs help Dakota is always there ready to give him advice. Every time Dakota gives Louie advice it helps him so much, and he is able to get through the situation so much quicker and with a more positive attitude.
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