Shooting Star (football, steroids)

Book Title: Shooting Star by Fredrick L. McKissack Jr.

Topic: Football, steroids

Thoughts: This book took me several days to read, not because it was difficult but because I could not get in to the different characters.

Jomo is a good football player, but he does not have the size like his best friend Jayson to make him desirable to colleges.  Jomo has finished his sophomore year of high school, and his coach wants him to begin a lifting regime to bulk up for football in the fall.  Jomo does not like the slow results he sees so he decides to use steroids to bulk up faster.

The majority of the novel focuses on the aftermath of Jomo taking steroids and the "rage" he feels toward others and his life.  He is not a sympathetic character.  The only character I like is Jayson, but McKissack only provides bits and pieces of his character, and it's through Jomo's eyes.  We see Jomo's jealously grow as the novel progresses.

I didn't feel sympathy for any of the characters; I guess I should feel sympathy for Jomo's girlfriend for what he does to her, but she dates him just because he is a football player.

I do like the quotes from famous football players and coaches McKissack has at the beginning of each section.  These would make good posters in the locker room or athletics bedrooms to help remind them of what makes a good athlete.  Too many players shoot for fame and then burn out and this novel does the same.