Running Loose (1983) is Chris Crutcher’s debut young adult novel. It follows high school senior Louie Banks, a member of the football team in his small town who navigates the typical challenges of adolescence. His life takes a dramatic turn when, during a football game, Louie faces a racist incident, resulting in his expulsion from the team. This event sets off a chain reaction, forcing Louie to confront deeper personal and community issues that ultimately lead to personal growth.

Running Loose has been praised for exploring significant young adult themes and presenting them with a captivating and humorous narrative style. It offers an authentic depiction of the high school experience in rural America. Its inclusion of mild sexual content and explicit language has led to its placement on the American Library Association’s list of the top 100 most frequently challenged books of the 1990s.

This guide is based on the e-book edition of Running Loose by Greenwillow Books.

Content Warning: The novel deals with racism and death. It also contains racist slurs to refer to Black people.

Plot Summary

The novel is narrated in first person by Louie Banks, a senior at a high school in Trout, Idaho. Trout is a small, predominantly white community where everyone is familiar with each other, and high school sports hold a cherished place in people’s hearts. The Trout football team has been undefeated for three years. Louie’s football team includes Carter Sampson, his best friend and an excellent athlete admired by all, and Boomer Cowans, the school bully. Louie is intimidated by Boomer’s propensity for violence and fears him. It’s hinted that Boomer’s aggressive behavior stems from his abusive father. During the summer, Louie trains hard with Carter in preparation for the upcoming football season. He also works at the Buckhorn restaurant, where his boss, Dakota, serves as a mentor, offering valuable advice along the way.

Once the school year begins, Louie is optimistic and in excellent physical condition. He hopes to play a triumphant football season, graduate, and get into college. This year, Coach Lednecky, the football team’s seasoned coach, is joined by Coach Madison. They instill a drive to win and push the team to excellence. Adding to Louie’s excitement, Becky Sanders, a smart and attractive cheerleader, asks him out on a date. Their relationship blossoms, and she is a cheerful, positive influence on Louie.

Before a football game against Salmon River, Coach Lednecky orders Boomer to take out Washington, a new Black player on the opposing team, and refers to him using racist language. Louie is appalled by the blatant racism and foul play. During the game, Boomer executes the play, injuring Washington. Louie, demanding justice, confronts the referee, but he fails to intervene. Louie walks off the field, disillusioned. After this incident, he quits football as a matter of principle, but his friend Carter continues playing.

The school principal, Mr. Jasper, suspends Louie for his behavior and bars him from participating in other school sports. Becky offers to quit the cheerleading team in solidarity with Louie, but he doesn’t want her to make such a sacrifice. She stands by his side, offering unwavering support and sharing her stories of overcoming adversity. Louie’s parents, Norm and Brenda, also support him, applauding his courage to stand for what’s right. As the school year progresses, Louie becomes increasingly disenchanted with the behavior of his peers and Coach Lednecky. With his exclusion from school sports, he turns his attention to cross-country skiing. One weekend, he and Becky go skiing at her parents’ cabin, where they have their first moment of intimacy. Vulnerable and uncertain, Louie confides in Becky, who offers comfort and support with her maturity and experience. His connection with Becky brings Louie a sense of fulfillment, restoring a sense of happiness and balance to his life.

During the spring, Becky is involved in a car accident; she drives her car off a bridge and dies. Louie, shocked and traumatized, oscillates between despair and anger and vents his frustration by chopping down a tree in a nearby meadow. He finds support and empathy from his parents, who offer a comforting presence. Louie then reaches out to Becky’s father, Mr. Sanders. In this shared grief, Mr. Sanders extends a paternal hand to Louie. At Becky’s funeral, Louie loses his temper and directs his anger toward the preacher and God, leaving the entire town stunned by his outburst. Carter and Boomer escort Louie out; Boomer’s unexpected kindness takes Louie aback. Louie’s actions at the funeral spark gossip and criticism throughout the town, with many voicing their disapproval of his behavior. Later, Louie destroys a school plaque erected in Becky’s memory. His motivation is his disdain for Mr. Jasper, who has tainted the memorial by putting his name on it. Louie lies about his actions to escape punishment.

As time passes, Louie’s grief begins to soften, and Coach Madison persuades Mr. Jasper to allow Louie to participate in track despite their previous agreement. Louie discovers a passion for track and excels in the two-mile event, winning multiple times. During one of the meets, Louie competes against Washington, who expresses admiration for Louie’s courage during the football season and feels honored to run against him. Louie wins the race by a fraction. Though he does not qualify for the state meet, he takes pride in his achievements with the track team and finds solace in Washington’s encouraging words. In the spring, Louie graduates. He reflects on his journey and the lessons he’s learned throughout the year. The day after graduation, he intends to destroy the replacement plaque dedicated to Becky once more.