Crash by Jerry Spinelli

Bibliographic Information

Spinelli, J. (1996). Crash. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 0679879579.

Plot Summary

John "Crash" Coogan is a football player who views life the same whether he's on or off the field: if it's in your way, crush it. Athletically, it's a successful philosophy and makes him a stand-out athlete. In his personal life, however, it's not always the best method. When Crash goes up against Penn Webb, a physically weak Quaker boy who is the complete opposite of Crash, Crash can't understand why Penn won't just go down and stay down. Years of torment at the hands of Crash and his buddy Mike seem to have no affect. When Crash's beloved grandfather has a stroke and Penn gives an irreplaceable gift, Crash's value system is shaken. Does he always have to win, or are there some things more important that destroying your opponent?

Review

Typical of many bullies and tweens in general, Crash lacks self-awareness. He dominates others for the attention and because, as a boy with a traditional dad, he thinks that's what he's supposed to do. He also puts a tremendous value on status. He's always competing with everyone to have the best or most stuff or to be the fastest or the strongest. That competitiveness is another driving influence for many tween bullies.