Background Information on Ironman

Plot Summerary- Ironman is about a teenage kid named Beauragard Brewster. His nickname is Bo because he doesn't like his name. Bo is writing a biography to Larry King throughout the book that he hopes gets Larry King's attention. Bo is planning to win the Yukon Jack's Eastern Washington Invitational Scabland Triathlon and trains every day at an extremely high pace. Well the book starts off with Bo in English class and his teacher is Keith Redmond. Earlier that week Bo quit the football team which Mr. Redmond coaches. After arguing Bo says something bad and is given his third suspension. Since he got that he has to have home schooling with the most boring teacher in the school or attend Mr. Nakatani's anger management class. Of course Bo decides to go to anger management and on the first day he meets the Nak Pak which includes Shelly, Shuja, Hudgie, Elvis and others. Shelly turns out to be Bo's favorite person in the Nak Pak and she teaches Bo to settle down his workouts. Mr. S, a teacher, lets Bo workout with the CFU swimmers to get in shape for the Ironman event. A really big jerk name Wyrack is one of the swimmers on the CFU team. Wyrack threatens Bo to stop winning the races but Bo wins the next race and gets Wyrack mad. Bo and his dad do not get along and that shows throughout the book. Latter at the Doc's Drive-Inn Wyrack and Bo get in a fight, but Shelly stops Wyrack. Now as Christmas Eve comes around Shelly and Bo are officially boyfriend and girlfriend. Then Shelly and Wyrack bet $500 that Bo could beat Wyrack and two other CFU swimmers at the Yukon Jack Triathalon. Then after researching on what a Stotan was Mr. S suggest to Bo that he should find his own Stotans to help with the triathalon. Then during Valentines day Bo discovers that Luke gave a free Ultra-Lite bike to Wyrack for the triathalon and it costs $5,000. Then Bo finds his Stotans in the entire Nak Pak. They help him train by pushing him and giving him refreshments to keep going. Then on the big race day Bo gets the Ultra-Lite from Lonnie Gerback who is Wyracks amazing biker for the triathalon because he doesn't want to get in the way of Bo and his dad. Before the race starts Bo gets a tape that the Nak Pak made to help Bo push himself through the race. In the end Bo wins and convinces his dad to go to counseling with him to fix their problem. Mr. Nak moved back to Texas after killing his kids in a drunk driving crash.
Setting- time-present place-Clark Fork High School, Washington
Characters- Bo Brewster- the main character, gets in fights with his dad. His anger is funneled towards Mr. Redmond. He joins the Nak Pak to avoid home schooling, but discovers new friends. He meets Shelly who is part of the Nak Pak and the become really good friends. He has many emotions that can change in a flash. He learned that friends can come from the most unlikely places. He started out pretty angry at everyone he is around but as the book progressed he learned to control his anger. He loves exercise and is addicted to it. Bo swims with the CFU swim team to get in shape for the Ironman event which he wins. Shelly- a very estatic character that loves to help other kids. She joined the Nak Pak on her own. Her dad abused her and Mr. Redmond didn't let her join the basketball team since she got angry quite a bit. She is very strong for a girl and becomes Bo's girlfriend inside the book. She helped Bo slow down his excercises so he doesn't destroy himself. Shelly took care of Elvis' siblings for a while since his dad ran away. Mr. Nak- He is a tiny Japanese guy that speaks with a Texas drawl which throws off Bo. He is the leader of the Nak Pak. He does what he does because his children were killed when he crashed while drinking and driving. All of the kids in the Nak Pak trusted him and respected him with the upmost respect. At the end of the book he decides to go back to Texas which showed the kids that you shouldn't run away from your problems. Mr. Serbousek- he is a teacher at Bo's school. His nickname is Lion because his first name is Lionel. Lion is the CFU swim coach and allows Bo to swim with his team. He seems to be a good friend who helps as much as possible. Bo learns a lot about Lion when they go out and talk while eating pizza. Bo discovers he is a homosexual and Lion is hurt when Bo avoids him. Luke Brewster- Bo's dad, he has an extremely fast temper. He had Bo miss Christmas because he wouldn't open and close a door. He deceives Bo when he gets Wyrack the Ultra-Lite bike but then it in the end falls into Bo's hands. He agrees in the end to go to counseling with Bo at the end. Hudgie- He is part of the Nak Pak and has a mental disorder. He drifts off and seems to be loyal to the entire Nak Pak. His dog was shot after he didn't feed him so his dad shot it. Shuja- a big, strong kid who looks very calm. Shuja helps a lot with the tape that the Nak Pak made for the Ironman event. He is taking care of his siblings after his dad ran away. Elvis- Quiet kid who loves rock'n'roll. Nothing is said about his home life. Wyrack- He is an extremely cocky kid who attends the CFU and is the top swimmers on Lion's swims team. He and two other CFU swimmers bet Bo $500 dollars that they could win the Ironman event.