Carl Deuker's novel "Gym Candy" details the rise and fall of high school football star Mick Johnson.

Attending Shilshole High School in Seattle, Washington, Mick Johnson is the son of Mike Johnson, a former college star and NFL player whose career was ended by an injury. Mick wants to be just like his father, and wants to be an even better football player. But Mick soon discovers that his father's career was not ended by an injury, but by his father's arrogance when he was arrested for drunk driving, skipped team meetings, fought with his teammates, and became a liability.

When Mick becomes first string running back on the high school team, he knows that he needs to keep his edge. He begins weightlifting at a local gym called Popeye's suggested by his father. There, Mick meets Peter Volz, a personal trainer who begins working with Mick. Peter introduces Mick to steroids, which Mick takes until tryouts are over. He experiences rage and depression, as well as bad acne and growing breasts as side effects of the drugs. He then moves on to taking injections and becomes addicted to them through the following football season.

The injections also help cause paranoia. When Mick's closest friend, Drew, discovers what Mick is doing, Mick attempts to commit suicide knowing that he has run out of chances and has let his team down. Mick is sent to a rehabilitation center where the book ends without Mick's addiction being cured.