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Damage | 
 enlarge | Author: A. M. Jenkins
Publisher: HarperTeen
Category: Book
List Price: $8.99
Buy New: $0.95
You Save: $8.04 (89%)
New (30) Used (19) from $0.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  40 reviews
Sales Rank: 543625
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7 x 5 x 0.5
ISBN: 0064472558
EAN: 9780064472555
ASIN: 0064472558
Publication Date: April 1, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: New, but might have remainder mark at bottom or over ISBN number.Ready to ship from our independent bookstore in Plano, Texas. We ship daily Monday through Friday.
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Product Description
As the Pride of the Panthers, football star Austin Reid is a likable guy, good with the ladies. Lately though, he doesn't like his life -- or anything else -- so much. And the worst part is that he can't seem to figure out why.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 35 more reviews...
Accurate December 30, 2007
I first read this book shortly after it was published and I was dubious about the idea of it being in the second person. However, the writing style worked well with how the book was written, and added a sense of realism, and made it easier to connect with the main character.
One of the downsides of this book for me was that it felt both rushed and like we only skimmed the surface of his life. I would have greatly enjoyed it if the book had gone into more detail about his life, and maybe even into the events that happened after he spoke with his friend at the end of the book.
I think many parents may be put off by some of the more "adult" subject matter in this book such as underage drinking, and sexual talk. I think the author does and excellent job of accurately portraying how teens talk, think and act.
I would especially recommend this book to teens who suffer from depression and to the parents of teens suffering from mental illness. Even though Austin's specific situation may not apply to a lot of people, I think it would help teens see that they are not alone in their feelings, and it would give parents an insight into a depressed teenager's mind.
In response to: Upset Parent "Tammy" December 6, 2006
I am a middle school Reading teacher who has read Damage and since you implored parents, teachers and professionals to respond, I am doing so. I realize where you are coming from with some of your concerns, but I feel some of your comments are rather extreme and are broad generalizations. For example, "Parents are to blame for the condition of this world and the youth of today", that is a rather broad statement, one in which you include yourself? Are there not other factors that influence our youth? I wonder whether or not you read the book in its entirety before you judged it and also find it interesting that you state "I'm sure [any other] book by this author [isn't] showing the youth anything but trouble." Have you in fact read any other books by A.M. Jenkins? I think you missed the entire point of Jenkins' book. Nowhere in her book is the message sent that she condones underage drinking, sex or mental depression in teens. As you are the parent of three teens/young adult boys you surely are well aware that Jenkins is merely capturing the tone and language of today's youth. Even the most well-bred, church-going young man is susceptible of sexual thoughts in regards to young woman. This book isn't overtly sexual or graphic. Regardless of whether it is right or wrong, underage drinking and sex occurs on a daily basis. Shielding our youth from discussion about it only makes it that much more desirable or appealing...the "Forbidden Fruit" syndrome. By bringing it out into the open and educating our youth we impower them to make the right desicions for themselves. You said yourself that you had to go through the issues this book discusses yourself the "hard way"; I believe Jenkins hope is that teens will read this and understand that they needn't do it the "hard way"...there are options. Perhaps, if you had read this when you were struggling as a teen, you would have realized that you're not alone and you didn't have to make the same mistakes that some of the characters did. Over 19 million Americans suffer with mental depression and this book sheds some light on how even the people we deem to "have it all" are not immune to it. As I tell all of my students, not every book is for every person. The reason so many students have posted reviews is because it speaks to them on their level. Perhaps this book didn't strike a chord with you for a variety of reasons, i.e. you no longer suffer with depression, you are an adult and no longer agonize over the things young adults do, you are married with children so sex isn't this alluring, secretive activity that it once was, etc. I recommend one reads this book if they are interested in learning more about how depression creates those feelings of disconnectedness and isolation.
 Not suitable! October 25, 2006
0 out of 10 found this review helpful
My son asked me to get this book for him to read in school. I looked in our library and found the description as depression, mental. I had to read this book to see what the school was having him read. I was so upset and outraged. In his school library he typed in "football" and it gave him this title. This book starts out with 3 underage kids drinking and moves on to them talking about "doing girls" then to describing breasts of their teacher and of Heather's mother. I have 3 boys (21, 17 & 14) and I know they are going to see this on TV and movies, from friends and video, etc but they do not need a book as this in the schools. I think it isn't even something adults should read in today's world. I tell my boys everything they ask me about so they aren't in the dark or finding out on their own which they will probably do anyways but at least by communicating with them I can hope that they know right from wrong. This book really upset me to know a 14 yr. old child can get this. No wonder the kids today carry guns to school, commit suicide, get depressed. I was depressed for a long time but I got over it and know the signs. There are people to talk to if not your parents. This world is a mess and this book isn't helping anyone. All these reviews are from young kids who naturally would find this appealing. What about adults, teachers, professionals? This book is showing youngsters it's ok to drink underage and have sex and feel depressed. It isn't!!!!! I'm not a hypocrite here...I did it when I was that age but I learned the hard way that it wasn't right. I'm not a church going Christian who preaches but I care very much about my sons and just hope that we can openly talk unlike my parents and me or other parents and their children because these parents today are too busy to take the time to talk to their children about morals and laws. This book and anyother I'm sure by this author aren't showing the youth anything but trouble. The schools tell kids if they need to talk to someone there are counselors or doctors. The parents are to blame for the condition of this world and the youth of today. This book will be out of my son's school. His teacher is even appalled at the book. I give this book 0 stars but this program here said I had to rate it. Give us the option also of 0 stars!
Suicidal Football April 24, 2006
This book is about a guy who is in football. His name is Austin. Austin is the star on the football team. He is in the high school. Austin's best friend is Curtis, which is a football player. When Austin gets a girlfriend, which happens to be the hottest girl in the high school, Austin quits going to see Curtis and goes over to see his girlfriend. But soon after Austin starts football and goes to see his girlfriend, he starts to have problems. But Austin does not tell anybody except his girlfriend and Curtis but will his girlfriend leave him or stay with him after what happened to her father and what will Curtis do about it. You will have to read the book to find out.
Life Through the Eyes of Teens October 22, 2005
Lying in bed, not wanting to move, and fearing the thought of getting up is how Austin Reid feels every morning. Austin, a star football player for the Panthers, popular in the eyes of his peers, finds himself hating everything. Everything that used to matter to him just doesn't faze him anymore, Austin has a secret that he doesn't want to let out - he is depressed beyond desire. Austin finally confronts Heather, his girlfriend about his issues but she gets scared and freaks out, causing Austin to open up to an early friend who has cared from the beginning. You get the feeling that his friend straitens his life out and helps him on his way to a less stressful life.
This book was very well written and should be at the top of a teens list in books to read. Jenkins has an excellent style of writing and she knows how to keep the reader interested and guessing what is going to happen next. This novel is a great book because Jenkins wrote this story exactly how some students really feel and think. Book lovers should definitely consider reading this book
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