Under Pressure

by Emma Carlson-Berne

Overview

Elise comes from a long line of college athletes. More than anything else, she wants to wear the University of North Carolina uniform and play for the college where her parents went. It's a lot of pressure, but if she works hard, she just might make it. At least that's what Elise thinks before she notices that some of her teammates are outplaying her. And a UNC scout is visiting in a few weeks. That's where the pills come in. Taking "performance supplements" makes Elise feel great, and soon she's playing like a powerhouse. But will it last? And can she keep her secret without getting caught?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467731218
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2013
Series:	Counterattack
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	108
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	11 - 18 Years

About the Author

Emma Carlson Berne has written and edited more than two dozen books for young people. She holds a master's degree in composition and rhetoric from Miami University. Emma lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and two sons. Visit her online at http://emmacarlsonberne.com/.

Editorial Reviews

"Each title is fast-paced, readable, and appropriate for both middle and high school readers." —Library Media Connection

From the Publisher

Soccer is everything for high school athlete Elise. Part of the Counterattack series about various teammates on a high school girls' soccer team, Berne's tale features senior Elise. In the spring season of her final year, Elise anticipates earning a place on a college team. She is thrilled to learn a scout from her parents' alma mater will be observing her team in a month, searching for potential freshman candidates. Desperate to make a stellar impression, Elise scrambles for a quick method to increase her competitive edge, naïvely deciding that the "Winners Athletic Supplements" she discovers are the solution. Berne examines serious issues young athletes encounter, including the tremendous pressure to succeed--whether it is self-imposed or driven by parental influence--and body-image concerns. Elise, lacking confidence in her skills and struggling with self-esteem, quickly makes a series of poor choices in her quest for instant perfection. Her anxieties further manifest in body-image issues, and she embarks on dangerously unhealthy eating patterns. Elise's deteriorating physical and emotional conditions are effectively sketched in this fast-paced, slim novel. Ultimately, events culminate in near disaster, which leads to dramatic changes in Elise's sports and life goals. Berne's discerning tale combines vivid sports descriptions with a compelling storyline. (Fiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews