Stotan: A cross between a Stoic and a Spartin
It's the last swimming season for Walker, Nortie, Lion, and Jeff, and their coach is building the... read full description
reviews
Nov 12, 2011
Darcy
rated it: 
What seems to be a lark of their swim coach, giving up the mornings of 1 week's vacation ends up teaching these boys one of the most important lessons of their lives.
During their week of Stotan these 4 boys become closer than they were, which is saying something. By secluding themselves amidst the physical challenge the boys ended up sharing things about their lives they never have before. Both of these things helped the boys decide what is important and what is not.
As More...
During their week of Stotan these 4 boys become closer than they were, which is saying something. By secluding themselves amidst the physical challenge the boys ended up sharing things about their lives they never have before. Both of these things helped the boys decide what is important and what is not.
As More...
Aug 29, 2011
Samantha
rated it: 
Each book I read by Chris Crutcher is just better than the last! I couldn't put Stotan! down. In fact, I couldn't leave the beach until I finished it last Tuesday.
It's the last swimming season for Walker, Nortie, Lion and Jeff and their swimming coach has asked them to participate in a voluntary weeklong program of four-hour-a-day continual training that will test their self-discipline and swimming skills during their holiday break. This week also becomes a week of bonding betwee More...
It's the last swimming season for Walker, Nortie, Lion and Jeff and their swimming coach has asked them to participate in a voluntary weeklong program of four-hour-a-day continual training that will test their self-discipline and swimming skills during their holiday break. This week also becomes a week of bonding betwee More...
Jul 08, 2011
Shannon
rated it:
I wasn't quite ready to leave Chris Crutcher's books when I finished Whale Talk. So I picked this one up. It's an earlier book, and it also features a swim team. I didn't like it as well, but then, a book I didn't like as well by Chris Crutcher is usually better than by a lot of other YA authors. This one started out a little slow, and at first I thought it was going to be a bit too simplistic, but it wasn't. I really loved the relationship between the four boys who populate this book, and if I
More...
Feb 12, 2012
Theresa
rated it:
So I've clearly read this before- I've read all of CC's books by this time in my life- but it's next on the re-read list. I think that if I were discovering him now, there are some (like Chinese Handcuffs) that might scar me a little much with their descriptiveness, but as I've been on a re-reading kick with CC lately, I'm going for my favorites. So in the past few weeks, I've read Chinese Handcuffs, Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, and Whale Talk again. It's always been comforting for me to re-
More...
Jan 19, 2011
Stevecrandell
rated it: 
Chris Crutcher’s novels are often overstuffed with drama, trauma, and unbearable pain. Stotan, however, keeps the action within manageable bounds. That’s a huge plus. There’s terminal illness, racist battles, child abuse, and a troubling case of teacher-student dating. But the strength of the characters is enough to keep the emergencies in perspective.
There’s a fair amount of teenage male posturing to the language, another Crutcher trait, but he significantly tones this down after the More...
There’s a fair amount of teenage male posturing to the language, another Crutcher trait, but he significantly tones this down after the More...
Jan 30, 2009
Samir
rated it:
I just finished reading Stotan! and this book entertained me a lot. It was about 4 seniors in high school and their last week for their swimming season. But that is not all it is about it, it gets deeper than that.
What surprised me about this book is how Chris Crutcher makes the writing so relatable to the reader as the book progress you can something from what is going on with the characters, their may be no instant connection at first but there is one if you look deep enough. What I lik More...
What surprised me about this book is how Chris Crutcher makes the writing so relatable to the reader as the book progress you can something from what is going on with the characters, their may be no instant connection at first but there is one if you look deep enough. What I lik More...
Apr 13, 2009
Hui Lin
rated it:
Stotan Week! When I started reading this book, they already talk about Stotan Week. All I know is that it has something to do with swimming. As I read on, I found out that Stotan Week is a physical training for the swimming team to get ready for a freestyle race. During the training, not only did the team members got better, they also became more closer as friends. As the book progresses, someone close to all the team members died, and the team got stronger than they were before. I think this bo
More...
Jul 10, 2009
Heather
rated it:
Rating A
Review I love Chris Crutcher. Let me say it again, I love him. I read another book of his that used the bonds of a swim team (albeit a much different swim team) as the backdrop to the lives of teenagers--relationships with each other, relationships with their families, and relationships with the world at large--and loved it too. The guy's pretty much money in the bank, in my book.
You know, going in, that this isn't going to be a book about swimming. Sure, there'll be a More...
Review I love Chris Crutcher. Let me say it again, I love him. I read another book of his that used the bonds of a swim team (albeit a much different swim team) as the backdrop to the lives of teenagers--relationships with each other, relationships with their families, and relationships with the world at large--and loved it too. The guy's pretty much money in the bank, in my book.
You know, going in, that this isn't going to be a book about swimming. Sure, there'll be a More...
Apr 06, 2010
Patti
rated it:
Another excellent book by Chris Crutcher. I think one of the things I like best about his books are the friendships. In this case, it's a small swim team who are also great friends; they know when to ask questions, ask for help, and when to leave each other alone.
The swim team isn't big enough to compete in all events, but they qualify for the state finals in individual categories. In addition to this good news, there is also the bad; one of the guys becomes ill, and another is de More...
The swim team isn't big enough to compete in all events, but they qualify for the state finals in individual categories. In addition to this good news, there is also the bad; one of the guys becomes ill, and another is de More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 15, 2009
Susan
rated it:
For me, this book defies all the odds. I'm a person who couldn't be less interested in sports, but the bond of being swimming teammates is, for this quartet of young men, engrossing, convincing, and the perfect way to tell this story. I also find it wonderful that a book which touches on such painful topics as physical abuse, suicide, the loss of both parents in an accident, and fatal illness is told in such a humorous, believable, normal-kid voice. In some ways this makes the grief even more
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 28, 2009
Rich
rated it:
This was one of the first young adult novels I ever read. It captivated me immediately. Crutcher mixed humor, drama, and sports with a deft hand that has me going back time and again to this volume.
Unfortunately, his more recent books have become increasingly shrill, attacking anyone with a conservative point of view. Because of books like this, I used to anxiously await each new Crutcher novel, but more and more I grimace when I see his books. He went from an insightful author More...
Unfortunately, his more recent books have become increasingly shrill, attacking anyone with a conservative point of view. Because of books like this, I used to anxiously await each new Crutcher novel, but more and more I grimace when I see his books. He went from an insightful author More...
Feb 01, 2012
Jen
rated it: 
I'm not sure I gave this book an unbiased chance. the reason I read it is that Ben is reading it in English at school and I wanted to read it with him. I had some reservations going in from other reviews I read on good reads. In the end, I wish they weren't reading this book at school....it has a very disturbing domestic abuse scene that really bothered me, the language is bad, and there are a number of sexual references I could have lived without. I never would have read this book on my own
More...
Sep 02, 2009
Elis
rated it:
I think that so far this is one of my favorite Crutcher books. Crutcher writes authentically about teens, their problems and yes the language they use. If you can get past the profanity they are excellent reads. I meet Mr. Crutcher once when he came to speak to in an education class I took at University. After hearing him and the reasons behind why he writes what he does I gained an even greater respect for him and the stories he tells.
Jul 28, 2011
Neill
rated it:
To be at the top of the high school swim team in a small town in eastern Washington state, Walker, Lion, Nortie, and Jeff have to figure out what a stotan is and then learn to live like one. This doesn't get easier when they have to deal with dead parents, abusive parents, old parents, racist classmates, and the truth of platonic and comfortable relationships with girls. Chris Crutcher writes fantastic teen fiction - a great author.
Nov 13, 2009
Morgan
rated it:
I've read a few novels by Chris Crutcher, and this one is my favorite so far. Usually his novels have personal agendas that overshadow the plot. This one does have an agenda, but this time its placed further in the background. The story was all right, but not exactly compelling, and it really wasn't anything special. I would recommend this if you are a high school athlete or just interested in sport novels.
Feb 03, 2009
Kelsey
rated it:
The book Stotan by Chris Crutcher is an awesome book. This book really keeps your attention and pulls you in. While reading it I felt myself really connecting to the characters and wanting to know more and more details. Stotan addresses so many of life's glories, problems, and emotions. Though this book would probably appeal to most swimmers, I believe that anyone, athlete or not, would love to read it.
Jun 08, 2010
Emily
rated it:
This is the only book I have ever re-read so you know its good. The swimming drew me in, but the deep relationships built between the four boys as the experience.... hell in the form of a pool... kept me coming back. This book made me laugh, cry and think about life. With four dynamic main characters and dark pasts to uncover, their is endless entertainment. My only complaint is that it's not longer!
May 04, 2009
Diane
rated it:
Crutcher is a psychologist who deals with abusive family relationships, and he brings the incredibly powerful and terrible situations to his books. His characters are interesting, real-to-life, and all must find realistic ways out of their trauma. These books are hopeful, but not in a religious or pedantically moral manner. All high school boys should read these.
Apr 04, 2011
Winston
rated it:
As a swimmer I found this wonderfully touching and close to every club swimmers own Hell Week. I'll add more later but honestly, not much to say. I would highly suggest reading this, and take from it the lessons of teamwork, bonding, and friendship. Also, if you have the chance, pick up a sport. It's worth all the sweat and tears.
Jun 27, 2011
Stephen
rated it:
Great book about the male bonding that occurs between high school friends and teammates. Each has a back story and as we meet these guys we really get to like them as buddies. We even get to watch a bit as they grow toward manhood.
These guys are straight and clueless in a lotta ways but winning and charming.
Great read.
These guys are straight and clueless in a lotta ways but winning and charming.
Great read.
Dec 27, 2008
Mikael
rated it:
This one was good but not as good as some of the others I've read by Crutcher. I love how he mixes sports and drama together. His books are good for male readers because the sports brings them in but they end up liking the book because of the stand it takes.
Jan 04, 2010
Kim
rated it:
This was a surprisingly sensitive story told from a teen boy's point of view, yet the action/suspense kept my teen boy (who hates emotional books) engrossed. A wonderful story about integrity and the challenges and irony of survival.
Dec 08, 2011
Dave
rated it:
Crutcher creates another gem of a story, this time via waterworks. It is a different approach as swimming doesn't normally capture such attention but Crutcher uses his real life experiences to bring it to life. Crutcher was actually charged with forming a swim team at high school that didn't even have access to a pool or a complete swim team. Chalk one up for the divers.
Jun 01, 2008
Eric
rated it:
This book is one of Chris Crutcher's novels. In this story, a group of swimmers in a high school team joins a physical training that tests your physical and mental endurance. This training was called 'Stotan week'. This was to get the swimmers to be ready for the 400 freestyle relay race. Not only did this week get them ready for the freestyle relay race, but it also brought forth change between the swimmers that became closer as friends. Then one day, the death of someone close to all of them m
More...
May 03, 2011
Claudia
rated it:
Wow. Just. Wow. This book was absolutely amazing! I especially like the character of Lionel, A.K.A "Lion", because he just pushes them all further and further than they thought they could go.
Sep 10, 2011
Shana
rated it:
Chris Crutcher is one the first young adult authors that I started following. He creates smart teen characters and puts them in difficult situations. He helps teens figure out how to handle big and small problems. I recommend every teen take Crutcher's books on.
Jan 03, 2011
Stacy
rated it:
Not the greatest Crutcher. However, a good read if you have swimmers. I recommended it to a student who couldn't find a book, but I knew he was a member of a swim team. He loved it!
Dec 26, 2010
Kristina
rated it:
I read this book when I was in high school. I don't remember much about the storyline or the writing itself other than I liked it and could relate to the "swimming" aspects of the book.
Jun 09, 2008
April
rated it:
Funny ... this seems like a paler Whale Talk, even though Stotan! was written first. There's still swimming, still abusive behavior, still ignorance and racism, still a bunch of guys learning to lean on each other.
I first read this for my YA Lit class, over ten years ago. Some of the references are a little dated now, but I think it still holds up. I think my students will relate well to it, particularly the "outsider" view; everybody feels like an outsider some time.
More...
I first read this for my YA Lit class, over ten years ago. Some of the references are a little dated now, but I think it still holds up. I think my students will relate well to it, particularly the "outsider" view; everybody feels like an outsider some time.
More...
Sep 13, 2011
Anna
rated it:
Loved this coming of age novel from the male's point of view. Was more indepth when in came to perspectives on relationships with girlfriends, parents, and best friends.
