Micah

Title: Gym Candy

Author: Carl Deucker

Type of Book (fantasy, humor, science fiction, mystery, biography, non-fiction): Biography

Main Character: Mick Johnson
Describe this character: He is a headstrong athlete who has been playing football since he was four years old. He practices day in and day out.
The main character changes from hardworking to cheater by the end of the story.
The main character does the right thing when: He stops taking steroids.
I can identify with the character when: He tries to get past his dad to the touchdown in his backyard.

Another Character: Michael Johnson
Details: He is Mick’s dad and a former NFL player who did outstanding in college football but was cut when he reached the pros. He now is a radio station commentator.
Another Character: Drew
Details: He has been on the same team as Mick since they were in the 7th grade. He is the quarterback of the varsity team.

Setting
Describe the time and place of the story: Present day and he lives in Seattle, Washington
Comments about the setting (examples: setting makes a story exciting, setting has an important effect on main character, setting is/is not exciting or new, setting increased my knowledge of something): Since the setting is present; athletes are more exposed to drugs like steroids at this time. It is really easy for Mick to use them so that’s why he did.

What is the author trying to say in this story? What is his lesson in life? The author is saying that if you cheat it will always come back to.

LETTER


Dear Mick Johnson,
I think that you are a great football player and you always have been. You could have out worked Dave Kane by pure skill and determination. If you would have just worked hard and not cheated, everything would have been fine. All of the thousands of hours you spent practicing was thrown away because you cheated. What Drew did was the right thing to do and it’s what any friend is supposed to do. You were very close to throwing your life away and Drew saved you. What was the real reason you took steroids? Was it because your dad pushed you too hard or were you just tired of being a little weak and wanted to get stronger? Just a little advice; drugs are never ever the answer. You could have been a real great player and nothing is too bad to kill yourself over.
Your friend,
Micah