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)