In the following essay, McDonnell traces Crutcher's personal background and connections to situations Crutcher explores in his novels.

Writing with vitality and authority that stems from personal experience in Running Loose, Stotan!, and The Crazy Horse Electric Game (all Greenwillow), Chris Crutcher gives readers the inside story on young men, sports, and growing up. His heroes—sensitive, reflective young men, far from stereotypic jocks—use sports as an arena to test personal limits; to prove stamina, integrity, and identity; and to experience loyalty and cooperation as well as competition.

Louie, in Running Loose, is no natural athlete. "I've never been all that good. Not too big, not too fast, and a lot more desire to be a football player than to play football, if you know what I mean." Walker, the swim team captain in Stotan!, values his team experience over his personal achievement. "I'm part of...