From Publishers Weekly
Crutcher reassembles some of the character types he used to riveting effect in his stellar Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes: a teenage misfit narrator enduring grueling athletic training; a tough heroine with a tragic past; a right-wing authoritarian heavy; enlightened teachers; and a sadistic father. At its best, the narrative crackles along in the author's inimitable style. Beauregard Brewster, a would-be Ironman triathlete, chronicles the events that ensue after he insults an oppressive teacher and is forced to take an anger-management class with other troubled students. But Crutcher's message sometimes overwhelms the cast and the story line. Beau's stern father, who has to be right at all costs-even if it means stacking the deck against his son-is one of the few fully fleshed-out characters. Many are either saintly multiculturalists (Beau's gay swimming coach, earlier met in Stotan; "Mr. Nak" the Japanese cowboy anger-management teacher; the black female high school principal) or, in the case of the offensive teacher, outright villains. In spite of these flaws, Crutcher achieves many memorable moments-exchanges between the students in the anger-management class, for example, are idealized but often deeply moving. Ages 12-up. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up?Although slow to accept his placement in an anger-management class, triathlete Bo Brewster learns to control and develop his emotional strength. Powerful, perceptive, and wickedly funny. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 8-12. "Ironman" Beauregard Brewster yearns to excel in the upcoming Yukon Jack swimming-biking-running triathlon--"not your run of the mill rapid-stroll-through-hell event either." Seventeen-year-old Beau carries around quite a bit of attitude, however, and has just been suspended for a major run-in with his football coach and English teacher, Keith Redmond. In a series of unsent letters to TV and radio personality Larry King, the novel's main narrative device, Beau pours out his rage, his dreams, and his life story. We meet Beau's father, whose difficult relationship with his son bears strong resemblance to that between Redmond and Beau. Then there are the anger management group sessions at school that Beau has been ordered to attend. The wonderfully offbeat group members and their adult leader ultimately nurture Beau in believable fashion. Stotan! readers will recognize Lionel Serbousck, now a young--and, incidentally, gay--journalism teacher and important mentor. With its highly charged intensity channeled into riveting prose, an array of eccentric and strong characterizations, and dramatic plot climax (messagey conclusion notwithstanding), Ironman is a combination of the psychological and the sports novel at their best. Anne O'Malley

Book Description

Bo has been at war with his father for as long as he can remember. The rage he feels gives him the energy as a triathlete to press his body to the limit, but it also translates into angry outbursts toward his teachers.

Now dangerously close to expulsion from school, Bo has been assigned to Anger Management sessions with the school "truants." With an eclectic mix of hard-edged students, Bo may finally have to deal with his long-brewing hatred for his father -- before it eats away at him completely.

Card catalog description
While training for a triathlon, seventeen-year-old Bo attends an anger management group at school which leads him to examine his relationship with his father.

From the Publisher
Bo Brewster has been at war with his father for as long as he can remember. Following angry outbursts at school that cost Bo his spot on the football team and move him dangerously close to expulsion, Bo is sent to Mr. Nak's Anger Management Group (which he initially believes to be populated with future serial killers and freeway snipers).There he meets a hard-edged pack of survivors whose own defenses are rigged as high as his. It is here he meets and falls in love with Shelly, a future American Gladiator, whose passion for physical challenge more than matches his."Crutcher again demonstrates his genius for tackling big issues and thought-provoking philosophies in an accessible and entertaining way."--The Horn Book, Starred Review"Crutcher has consistently penned exceptional reads for young adults, and Ironman is one of his strongest works yet."--School Library Journal

ANNOTATION

While training for a triathlon, seventeen-year-old Bo attends an anger management group at school which leads him to examine his relationship with his father.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Bo Brewster has been at war with his father for as long as he can remember. Following angry outbursts at school that cost Bo his spot on the football team and move him dangerously close to expulsion, Bo is sent to Mr. Nak's Anger Management Group (which he initially believes to be populated with future serial killers and freeway snipers).

There he meets a hard-edged pack of survivors whose own defenses are rigged as high as his. It is here he meets and falls in love with Shelly, a future American Gladiator, whose passion for physical challenge more than matches his.

"Crutcher again demonstrates his genius for tackling big issues and thought-provoking philosophies in an accessible and entertaining way."—The Horn Book, Starred Review

"Crutcher has consistently penned exceptional reads for young adults, and Ironman is one of his strongest works yet."—School Library Journal

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Crutcher reassembles some of the character types he used to riveting effect in his stellar Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes: a teenage misfit narrator enduring grueling athletic training; a tough heroine with a tragic past; a right-wing authoritarian heavy; enlightened teachers; and a sadistic father. At its best, the narrative crackles along in the author's inimitable style. Beauregard Brewster, a would-be Ironman triathlete, chronicles the events that ensue after he insults an oppressive teacher and is forced to take an anger-management class with other troubled students. But Crutcher's message sometimes overwhelms the cast and the story line. Beau's stern father, who has to be right at all costs-even if it means stacking the deck against his son-is one of the few fully fleshed-out characters. Many are either saintly multiculturalists (Beau's gay swimming coach, earlier met in Stotan; ``Mr. Nak'' the Japanese cowboy anger-management teacher; the black female high school principal) or, in the case of the offensive teacher, outright villains. In spite of these flaws, Crutcher achieves many memorable moments-exchanges between the students in the anger-management class, for example, are idealized but often deeply moving. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)

The ALAN Review - Ted Hipple

In this really outstanding novel Crutcher revisits themes and stylistic devices that have served him well in the past. Bo Brewster, a superstar athlete, refuses to play on the school football team, prefers his individualistic triathalons, comes from a dysfunctional family, has a girlfriend with her own troubles, writes letters (to Larry King), and is described in the present tense - all major echoes of Chinese Handcuffs. Several sympathetic teachers appear here, one of them a Stotan - another echo. Thus, Ironman could profitably be used as part of a larger Crutcher unit. But it can and should be read on its own, too. It is compellingly done - an engaging and important story, brilliantly written (Crutcher at his best, which is, of course, very good), with a memorable protagonist and a distinctive cast of minor characters, and with truly provocative ideas about school, family, and personal relationships. READ THIS ONE.

School Library Journal