Raiders Night

Hard-hitting look at the world of high school football. Matt Rydek is a senior and captain of the finals-bound football team. Sure, he does 'juice' but everyone does... what could be wrong with that? When one of his teammates takes a hazing too far, Matt is faced with difficult choices and dire consequences. Mature content.

This is definitely a story for older teens. The Raiders football team has been part of Matt's life forever. He began dedicating himself to football two years ago, and this is his senior year. In the summer prior to football camp, Matt has acted like a captain - keeping people on their lifting schedule, working out, spending time with the younger players. But when football camp begins, the other co-captain begins to bully and manipulate, and Matt just stands by and watches. There is a graphic male rape in this book, as well as some other illegal, unsavory things. Matt is on what his father calls "safe" steroids. This book is pretty action-packed, including an attempted murder. However, it seems like Lipsyte (who consulted with a sports show more psychologist) has tried to pack too much stuff into this book - there is a bullying sports dad, the steroids, cheating on his girlfriend, worries that he's gay - no wonder Matt is having a hard time concentrating. While it might be a good read for boys that are into sports, I think it was a little too scattered for me. show less

Matt Rydeck, co-captain of his high school football team, endures a traumatic season as he witnesses the rape of a rookie player by teammates and grapples with his own use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Matt Rydek has just about everything going for him, as he gets ready for his senior year. He’s co-captain of the Raiders, Nearmont High’s football team. Well actually Matt would rather be playing baseball, but Matt’s dad says there are more scholarships for football players, and what his dad says goes. Matt’s got a tight group of friends from the team, the Back Pack, hot girls and the possibility of a scholarship to a Division One school that will get him away from his father. He also has plenty of juice to help him and his buddies grow stronger. But when a transferring sophomore joins the team and threatens co-captain’s Ramp’s position as tight end, Ramp goes from harassment to brutal humiliation on hazing night. Everyone show more knows something bad happened that night, even the adults. But no one wants the truth. That would mean wrecking the team and maybe the school and town. They all want Matt to keep a lid on things, to keep the issue “in the locker room … to get past the past.” As the tension ratchets up will Matt play by the Raiders rules or speak the truth? show less

A true to life look at the pressure of family, school and teams on in sports and life, language is raw but very true to life

It seemed true to life, but a sad depiction of the type of experience some kids have in high school. Well written

Raiders night is a interesting realistic fiction book taking a look on into a HS football studs life and what he goes through with struggles and highs. A little graphic but overall a good book if you like realistic fiction 3.5 out of 5 stars