Crash

Take a look behind the bully in this modern classic from Newbery medalist Jerry Spinelli that packs a punch. And don't miss the highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday.

Cocky seventh-grade super-jock Crash Coogan got his nickname the day he used his first football helmet to knock his cousin Bridget flat on her backside. And he has been running over people ever since, especially Penn Webb, the dweeby, vegetarian Quaker kid who lives down the block. Through the eyes of Crash, readers get a rare glimpse into the life of a bully in this unforgettable and beloved story about stereotypes and the surprises life can bring.

"Readers will devour this humorous glimpse of what jocks are made of." --School Library Journal, starred review

Winner of North Carolina Children's Book Award (Junior Book) 2000
Winner of Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Grades 6-8) 1999
Winner of Virginia Readers Choice Award (Middle School) 1999
Short-listed for Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award 2002
Short-listed for Black-Eyed Susan Award (Grades 6-9) 1997

“"Readers will devour this humorous glimpse of what jocks are made of." --School Library Journal,starred review "Spinelli packs a powerful moral wallop, leaving it to the pitch-perfect narration to drive home his point."--Publishers Weekly”

"Without being preachy, Spinelli packs a powerful moral wallop, leaving it to the pitch-perfect narration to drive home his point" --Publishers Weekly

"Spinelli's writing style is great for kids in this age-group, fast-paced and funny." --Booklist

JERRY SPINELLI is the author of many novels for young readers, including Dead Wednesday, The Warden's Daughter; Stargirl; Love, Stargirl; Milkweed; Crash; Wringer; and Maniac Magee, winner of the Newbery Medal; along with Knots in My Yo-Yo String, the autobiography of his childhood. A graduate of Gettysburg College, he lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, poet and author Eileen Spinelli.

Everybody knows Crash Coogan, seventh-grade football sensation. He's been mowing down everything in his path since the time he could walk-and Penn Webb, his dweeby, vegetable-eating neighbor, is his favorite target. After all, Webb's not just a nerd, he's a cheerleader too. Crash and his best buddy, Mike, can't think of anything more hilarious than making Webb's life miserable. But Crash starts to realize that Webb has something he may never gain, no matter how many touchdowns he scores. And when Mike takes a prank too far, maybe even for Crash, the football star has to choose which side he's really on.

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