Crutcher, Chris. Whale talk

Crutcher, Chris. Whale talk. Laurel-Leaf, 2001 [0-440-22938-3]
T.J. is one of a group of odd athletes put together to form a HS swim team. To top it off, he is an adopted African American crack baby who has spent many years in counseling. This is a book of people dealing with adversity. T.J.'s father accidentally killed a child, T.J. is a great athlete who does not like organized sports, the HS feels T.J. feels he has let the school down by not participating in sports. Some of the usual jocks in the football team do not like T.J. and by a quirk, he and his family ends up becoming the foster family for the family of one of these abusive jocks. This 220 page book is a heart-wrenching tale of a large, colorful cast of characters all dealing with their problems in different ways. The swim team has a great collection of members. This is a powerful and harsh book.. maybe too many of the characters have to struggle with adversities, but it is great read. Be aware that there is some harsh language (including the f-word), but not overdone in my mind.