Running Loose

Chris Crutcher, born in Ohio in 1946, is an American novelist and therapist specializing in child abuse and neglect. Before starting his writing career, Crutcher taught at several primary and secondary schools in California and Washington. His background as a teacher and therapist significantly informs his writing: Many of his novels, including his debut, Running Loose, focus on teenagers grappling with serious personal issues, such as abusive parents, racism, and poverty. In his biography, Crutcher states that he is “forever intrigued by the extremes of the human condition” (“Biography.” Chris Crutcher). Crutcher swam competitively in college and participated in various high school sports. These experiences also inform his writing: Most of his protagonists are young male athletes. In Running Loose, the main character and narrator, Louie, is a rising football star whose life seems perfect until he faces significant hardships. He confronts racism in his small community, is excluded from the football team, and deals with grief. Some aspects of Running Loose are semi-autobiographical. For example, Louie’s town of Trout, Idaho, is inspired by Cascade, the small village where Crutcher grew up, which similarly celebrated extracurricular sports.

Chris Crutcher’s writing is often considered controversial. Both Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories and Running Loose were featured on the American Library Association’s list of the 100 most frequently challenged books of the 1990s. Running Loose contains profanity and mildly intimate scenes, and it tackles mature themes, which some believe are unsuitable for younger readers. Nevertheless, Crutcher’s contributions to young adult literature have been widely acknowledged. His novels are celebrated for their authentic portrayal of the teen experience. He received the ALA Margaret Edwards Award in 2002, which honors authors for their significant contributions to young adult literature. Furthermore, five of his books were listed among the American Library Association’s 100 Best Books for Teens of the Twentieth Century (1999-2000).