Book Takes On Some Realistic Teen Problems

When I first picked up the book “Ironman” by Spokane author Chris Crutcher, I assumed it would be about the Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. Well, I was sure surprised to learn it was about anger management, internal conflicts and the support of friends.

As I began to read, I slipped deeper and deeper into Bo’s life and problems. Bo’s passion was to become an Ironman, or triathlete. His goal was to “conquer the field in Yukon Jack’s Eastern Washington Invitational Scab-land Triathlon.”

In a normal triathlon, you swim, bike and then run. This one was special because the participants got to bike half of the distance in a normal triathlon, run and then swim two times the regular distance. Bo rose out of bed every morning at 4:30 to train, receiving as much of a workout as he put into it.

Bo’s life changed radically when he had some arguments with his football coach. He told his coach he was quitting due to some problems with teammates and then he yelled at his ex-coach during English class.

Bo was suspended and had to join an anger management group. He was very reluctant to go because only the “messed up juvenile delinquent” kids were in there. Bo felt he didn’t belong there because he had no problems.

As Bo continued with this group, “Nak’s Pak,” as they called it, he learned his anger deep inside him had to do with how his father treated him. His father always wanted what was best for him, but he didn’t realize when things had gone to far.

A few years ago, Bo came in the house and slammed the door, waking his father up from a nap. His father jumped off the couch in anger and insisted Bo open the door and shut it quietly. When Bo refused, his dad became enraged and declared him not a part of the family until he could open the door and shut it quietly.

This ordeal continued for several months, neither of them giving in. Bo couldn’t eat with his family, speak with them or even open Christmas presents with them. He hated his father so much, he wouldn’t succumb to his order.

There’s much more to the book, including sports and conflicts that teens have to deal with. These conflicts aren’t pretty and, unfortunately, happen too often. I really enjoyed this book because Chris Crutcher unveils these problems and has his characters try to understand them for themselves as they find solutions.