cover image CRASH

CRASH

Jerry Spinelli, . . Dell/Laurel-Leaf, $5.50 (162pp) ISBN 978-0-440-23857-7

Seventh-grader jock Crash Coogan has been tormenting his skinny Quaker neighbor for years, but when a stroke leaves Crash's beloved grandfather severely disabled, he begins to realize that there are more important things in life than being a sports star. "Spinelli packs a powerful moral wallop, leaving it to the pitch-perfect narration to drive home his point," wrote PW . Ages 12-up. (May)