One Good Punch

September 1, 2007
Wallaces sobering novel is as quick and tight as a taut jab and packs about as much heft. Michael Kerrigan is about to begin his senior season on the track team, and hes never been in better shape. Hisunwavering dedication to writing (he typesobits for the local newpaper, andhilarious reverse-obits of those living around him)and his athleticismkeep him out of trouble, until a friend stashes four joints in his locker, which are promptly foundduring a random drug sweep. Facing expulsion, and hence no track seasonor college team after that, Michaelconfronts the common teen dilemna of deciding whether to lie, tell the truth, or tell the other truth, the one with shades of gray, that no one wants to hearallwith his future hanging in the balance. The choices he makes may seem questionable to some readers; but while Wallacerefrains from overtlymoralizing, he does illustrate the very serious repercussions that one major mistake can have on ones hopes, especially those with the drive to be the very best.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)