Dead Wrong

by Alida E. Young

Genres: Young Adult

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this one hit me a little too hard. I was not expecting any of that and I may have teared up a bit.
Remember.... roids aren’t all the rage.

[Courtney Gruenholz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounded up to three stars.

This book wasn't bad but with my age showing, this wasn't something that would shock many.

In the early 1990s there wasn't a television show that didn't talk about steroids in "very special" episodes. This book came out in 1992 and with the title, you know that it will not end very happily.

Freshman Staci Malloy soon discovers that her older brother, Matt, is taking steroids to improve being on the football field to get a scholarship to college. He doesn't even want to really be a football player but actually go to school. Also, his paternal grandfather was a big football hero, so Matt has a family legacy to uphold.

His moods change to anger, he has nosebleeds, vomits, went from being skinny as a rail to buff and has acne over his handsome features. Staci chooses not to believe it until she sees Matt taking aspirin one day and tries to take one herself. Her best friend Rick noticed it before even she did and her English teacher, who happens to be the assistant football coach, notices Matt's behavior.

Matt's girlfriend Krystal and his parents just think it is Matt being under pressure.

Staci tries in vain to get her beloved brother to stop taking steroids until the worst outcome possible happens...

It is always devastating to read about how something like this can change a whole family and Dead Wrong is tragic. Staci loves her older brother, and it is clear that despite the roid rage, Matt loves his little sister and encourages her in pursuing writing. They even have a dog and oh man, that was the part that got me when the dog realizes what is wrong...

An after school special in written form, Dead Wrong is a quick read and recommended if you feel it could change someone's life or even your own. Books like these probably did save a few lives back in the day...maybe they still can.

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is surely for a younger audience, but with that in mind it did an amazing job at highlighting the dangers of steroid abuse in students, especially at a time where steroids were raising popularity. I did not imagine I would be so drawn to the story as I was, but it was interesting to learn how it would end as the pages began to lessen. I did not expect the ending, but I think that is what makes the story that much better with a powerful lesson.
This was a perfect book for the early 90s and 00s. I know steroids were a big talk in my middle school years going on to high school.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teen Read Week: October 12-20, 2007

Oh how I miss the 80's sometimes. Even the early 90's. I can relive the glory with books by Alida E. Young, though.

Dead Wrong is a cautionary tale of steroid abuse, but like most of Young's books- and I've read a lot of them- there's more going on in the pages than a highhanded morality lesson.

Tween and teen girls can get a lot of basic truth about family, friendship, and boys from her main characters.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another favorite from elementary school/junior high!

[Beckey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life lesson is the best way to describe this book... Good book for a parent & child to read together about athletes & steroid use.