The Crazy Horse Electric Game

Crutcher, C.  (1987).  The crazy horse electric game.  NY:  Harper Tempest.  Willie, a top highschool athlete in Montana, flees to Oakland, California after a water skiing accident leaves him physically disabled and depressed.  On his journey, he is attacked by an Asian gang, but is rescued and taken in by a pimp named "Lacey".  He ends up staying there for two years, attending a small inner city school, receiving physical therapy, and forming strong relationships with peers and adults who mentor him.   He takes a trip home to Montana and realizes there have been major changes within the two years. Willie realizes Coho, Montana does not feel like home anymore because he still feels crippled. With this realization, he packs his bags and returns to Oakland.  I believe the greatest strength of this book is that it addresses adolescent themes such as divorce, drugs, mental and physical handicaps and gang violence in such a manner that a teenager from any time era can relate. One of the main characteristics of a good back is character development.  Crutcher portrayed Willie as a dynamic character who changed and was enlightened throughout the plot of the story. He was no longer the star athlete taking his abilities for granted.  Willie also had several archetypes. They were the wise adult mentors that helped him heal physically as well as mentally and emotionally.