Anything to Win

Cam narrates the story of his high school senior year. Handsome and popular, he is quarterback of the school's football team and candidate for a college football scholarship if he gains 30 pounds. However, Cam's life becomes suddenly complicated: the only way he can gain that much weight is by using steroids, and he struggles with this moral dilemma. If he takes steroids, his father will be disappointed in him, but would it be worse if he didn't land the scholarship? Cam's coach encourages him to take the steroids, but another boy who had used them is in the hospital. Ultimately Cam must rely upon his own judgment and accept the consequences of his actions. Miklowitz brings to this timely issue her usual care in creating realistic situations and in Cam's character, a sense of honest introspection. Readers--whether actively involved in athletics or simply spectators--will find much to think about in these pages; it is their generation that will have to confront this issue on into the '90s. Ages 12-up. (July)