Those who know Chris Crutcher know he was a swimmer in his high school and college years. He embraced the competitive heart of swimming with such passion that he went on to coach during his years as a professional educator.

Considering that background, it's no wonder STOTAN!, the story of four high school seniors --- Walker, Nortie, Lion and Jeff --- and their marathon week-long aquatic training exercise, hits an authentic mark. But it's Crutcher's humor and his extensive knowledge of human nature and heart that really make STOTAN! sing.

When these likable "stotans" (aka stoic spartans) rise to their swimming coach's physical challenge --- seven days of grueling workouts during Christmas break --- they push much more than their own physical limits. They discover the bonding strength of shared physical challenge and the reach of friendship without limits.

Crutcher's protagonists carry the weight of his novels, always. But in STOTAN!, as in most of his novels, there is an adult that offers abundant truthful guidance along the way; in this case, the soft-spoken but demanding swimmers' coach. Why use adult characters to help? "Because kids need to know there are grown-ups they can turn to," he says. "They need to know there are some adults who are willing to help."

  --- Reviewed by Kelly Milner Halls

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