Jomo Rodgers is a capable football player, but nothing like his best friend Jayson, a sophomore who’s already being courted by college recruiters. Coach thinks he needs to bring a more committed attitude to his play, but Jomo is sure it’s his size—5’8” and 150 pounds—that’s keeping him from getting the recognition he deserves. An off-season training program should help him bulk up, but results are slow, and Jomo is unable to resist the temptation of steroids. His seller swears that it’s safe, and there’s no denying the satisfaction of the rapid increase in size and ability that Jomo experiences. But along with those payoffs come problems, and soon Jomo is experiencing the downside of “juicing.” This realistic portrayal of a well-intentioned teen’s downward spiral through the physical, emotional, and social side effects of illegal steroid use stands out for its well-developed characters and its unflinching focus on a prominent issue in contemporary athletics. (Age 13 and older)

A natural-born athlete, Jomo Rogers has talent that is easy to spot on the football field, and local reporters are taking notice. But the buzz keeps focusing on his potential, on his promise. Jomo doesn’t want to be the “next big thing.” He wants to be the real deal . . . in as little time as possible. He adopts a new workout regimen, complete with more weights, longer runs—and steroids. A gritty, witty, and eloquent youngadult debut, Shooting Star takes on the sports headlines and brings to the page a young man whose drive is about to make his life spiral out of control.