Author: Joshua Cohen

Title: Leverage

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

In many ways, Leverage is comparable to the sport its author is so fond of. Like in gymnastics, there are moments when it shows poor technique, loses momentum, or botches a routine. In the end, though, Leverage sticks the landing.

Danny Meehan and Kurt Brodsky couldn't be more different. Danny is small and mouthy, with eyes set on a college scholarship and an ambition that has him at odds with his Father. Kurt is a hulking blend of height and muscle, with jagged facial scars, a crippling speech impediment, and nightmares of his early years in foster care.

The only time either boy feels at peace is when practicing sports. Kurt is the football teams' newest fullback, and quickly begins to reap the benefits of the position. Danny, on the other hand, is part of the schools less popular gymnastics team and a frequent target for bullies.   

The book opens with an escalating prank war between the two sports teams. Like most pranks, the jokes spiral out of control until they erupt into an unspeakable crime, prompting a young boy to take his own life. In the wake of the tragedy, Danny and Kurt find themselves unexpectedly thrown together. Only they know the truth behind what really happened, and their knowledge puts their dreams, not to mention their lives, in jeopardy.

The first thing readers should know about Leverage is that it's long, sometimes painfully so. Cohen relishes in writing play-by-play reports as the boys compete in football, gymnastics, rock climbing, etc. These chunks aren't necessarily bad, just frequent, and readers might start to wonder if either boy has a life outside the gym. Cohen's also gives detailed explanations about his favorite sport. Those unfamiliar with gymnastics will undoubtedly appreciate the breakdown of different tools and exercises, but the paragraphs still add up, and even hardy readers should prepare for the long haul.     

Further slowing the story are Cohen's secondary characters. Teammates and friends alike end up fitting into generic character molds. You have the rebel, the goth, the joker, and the main antagonists' two minions. Even the boy's coaches had potential to be engaging characters. As it stands, they remain powerful figures who mainly inhabit the background.    

All of this can be overlooked, however, thanks to two great protagonists. Danny and Kurt serve as well written and incredibly complex heroes. Both are shown to be inherently good, but still struggle with their own shortcomings. For example, Danny's cowardice keeps him from helping his teammates when they really need him. Meanwhile Kurt, despite having a soft heart, allows anger to cloud his judgment on more than one occasion. The two really drive the story home and their emerging friendship makes for some pretty touching moments.

The book should also be commended for its stance on bullying. Leverage isn't afraid to show readers the worst case scenario when it comes to bullies. The consequences of turning the blind eye are terribly raw, but it invokes powerful feelings of shame and outrage that few bully stories have succeeded in doing. The violence is explicit, so squeamish readers, you have been warned.     

Leverage is not for the faint of heart. Parents should proceed with caution, as it contains heavy material for a young adult label. If you still decide to break its cover though, you'll find a powerful story that will change your outlook on sports, and a chilling reminder that evil thrives when good people do nothing.

(Warning: this book contains scenes involving drugs, rape, and strong language. Reader discretion is advised.)

*This article first published 3/15/2011