ALL ABOUT AUTHOR CHRIS CRUTCHER Issues In Young Adult Literature

Introducing Chris Crutcher Controversial Young Adult Novelist

His Life Humble Beginnings CHRIS CRUTCHER WAS BORN 1946 IN DAYTON OHIO. CRUTCHER GREW UP IN CASCADE IDAHO, A SMALL LOGGING TOWN A FEW MILES NORTH OF BOISE. DAD WAS A WORLD WAR II AIR FORCE B-17 PILOT & MOM WAS A HOME MAKER BOTH WERE AVID READERS THEMSELVES

Not Much Of A Student The only book he read in high school was To Kill A Mocking Bird, by Harper Lee. Chris says this, in part, is do to being the kid brother of a smart older brother. And part because he couldn’t relate to the books they taught.

Instead of books, Chris Crutcher Played Football Played Basket Ball He was a Long Distance Runner and swimmer Sports Sports Sports Sports are realistically presented in much of his work.

Life After High School Attended College at Eastern Washington State College, 1968 He studied psychology and sociology For 12 years, Chris Crutcher taught at an alternative High School in California. For 20 years, he has been a Licensed Therapist and worked in Child Protective Services in Spokane, Washington He did not begin to write until age 35. Now he is a full time Writer and Therapy Consultant

What Do You Think? Do these Homosexuality & Sexual Identity Sex Sexual Abuses: Rape & Incest Racism subjects belong in our classrooms? Bullying Social Injustice Questions of Faith Explicit Language Censorship Family Violence

Just Some of the Book Bans & Opposition Chris Crutcher’s Work has hit the ALA’s Top Most Frequently Challenged Books October 8, 2005 Montgomery County, Texas Summer 2005 Myrtle Beach, SC WHALE TALK March 8, 2005 Athens, Alabama WHALE TALK BANNED February 2005 Grand Rapids, Michigan ATHLETIC SHORTS "Telephone Man" January 2005 Kansas City, Missouri Area STOTAN! December 2004 Georgetown, South Carolina WHALE TALK October 23, 2004 Solon, Iowa ATHLETIC SHORTS "In the Time I Get" September 2004 Atchison, Kansas ATHLETIC SHORTS 2004 Georgia ATHLETIC SHORTS March 17, 2007 Ravenna, Ohio STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES MISSOURI VALLEY, IOWA FEBRUARY 22, 2007 WHALE TALK Wausau, WI October 25, 2006 ATHLETIC SHORTS Rochester, NY RUNNING LOOSE August 2006 Rootstown, Ohio July 2006 RUNNING LOOSE & CHINESE HANDCUFFS Hillsborough County, FL ATHLETIC SHORTS & IRONMAN June 15, 2006 Junction City, Kansas CHINESE HANDCUFFS April 2006 Westmoreland, NY February 24, 2005 Holland, Michigan School Visits Postponed AGAIN

In His Own Words

Words From Chris Crutcher “The truth screams to be told in its native tongue” “Controversy is the byproduct not the goal” “If there is a pervasive sickness in our culture, it’s that we’re afraid of the wrong things” “It never occurred to me for one minute to try and reach kids through literature. When I write stories, it’s totally selfish. It’s about my response to what I write; my personal range of humor to tragedy…”

Characteristics of Chris Crutcher’s Work Adolescent Male Protagonist Athletics/Team Dynamics Humor Controversial Problem Plots Realism Straightforward, Fast-paced Prose

What the Critics Say Praise for his authentic male adolescent protagonists “direct, strong, and even prose” Criticism for contrived plots, melodrama, amateurish characterizations, and preachy dialogue

Books & Awards Running Loose, 1983 Stotan!, 1986 Best Books For Young Adult Readers Best of The Best In Young Adult Literature, School Library Journal The Crazy Horse Electric Game, 1987 Best Books For Young Adult Readers Chinese Handcuffs, 1989 Best Books For Young Adult Readers

Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories, 1989 Best Books For Young Adult Readers Best of The Best In Young Adult Literature, School Library Journal The Deep End, 1992 (Was written as an Adult novel) Best Books For Young Adult Readers Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes, 1993 Best Books For Young Adults Best Book Of The Year, School Library Journal More Books

Ironman, 1995 Best Books For Young Adults Quick Picks For Reluctant Young Adult Readers Whale Talk, 2001 Washington State Book Award The Sledding Hill, 2005 Deadline, 2007 And More Books

More Awards Catholic Library Association St. Katherine Drexel Award, for outstanding contribution to the growth of high school Librarianship Writer Magazine’s Writers Who Make a Difference Award American Library Association Margaret A. Edwards Award, presented by Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) for lifetime contribution to young adult literature Four of his books appear on Booklist’s Best 100 Books of the 20 th Century NCTE National Intellectual Freedom Award The Alan Award for Significant Contribution to Adolescent Literature

Running Loose

17 year old Louie Banks has it all, until coming face to face injustice and tragedy. Themes Running Loose Teenage Sexuality Athletics Racism Moral Dilemma Friendship Death

Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories

Features characters from his earlier work. Geared for grades Themes Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories Friendship AIDS Father- Son Relationships Love Death Racism Testing Personal Limits Athletics

Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes

Special Friendship Between Two Outcasts Take Perilous Turns & Changes Lives. Themes Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes Christianity Child Abuse Vigilantism Social Alienation Self Esteem Chris Crutcher’s most objected to novel.

More About Chris Crutcher & His Work Presenting Chris Crutcher Chris Crutcher’s Biography written by Terry Davis King of the Mild Frontier, Autobiography, Chris Crutcher National Organization Against Censorship Contact Chris Crutcher Directly

Objectives This Power Point was designed for High School English Students at all levels as an introduction to the Author Chris Crutcher and his work Familiarize Students with the Author’s work Facilitate interest and motivation of students in relation to Chris Crutcher’s work as well as literature as a whole Facilitate critical thinking, reflection, and discussion on social issues