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About The Book

From acclaimed author Terry Davis comes the cult classic, Vision Quest, which was called “the truest novel about growing up since The Catcher in the Rye” by New York Times bestselling author John Irving.

Louden Swain is a high school wrestler who is working hard to cut his weight down. All he wants is to win his weight division in the state championships. But he’s distracted from his goals by the older girl with car trouble that is staying with his family for a while. He is quickly falling in love with her, but can Louden make a relationship work and reach his wrestling goals at the same time?

Filled with integrity, honesty, and a sweetness that has made this coming-of-age story a cult classic, Vision Quest is a story that will be shared for generations to come.

About The Author

Terry Davis is an American novelist who lives near Spokane, Washington, and is a professor emeritus of English at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU Mankato), where he taught creative writing—fiction and screenwriting—as well as adolescent literature. Davis, who has been a high school English teacher and a wrestling coach, is the author of three novels for young adults: Vision Quest, Mysterious Ways, and If Rock and Roll Were a Machine. He has also written Presenting Chris Crutcher, a biography of the respected young-adult author.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (December 15, 2015)
  • Length: 256 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781481456371
  • Grades: 7 and up
  • Ages: 12 - 99
  • Lexile ® 890L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

"[A] sunny and deft novel for lovers of wrestling, wit and hang-loose talent."

– Kirkus Reviews

"In terms of sheer charm, it would be difficult to match the characters in this first novel. Told with tenderness and set in the beauty of Washington State, the novel is most memorable for clearly evoking, much as Judy Blume does, a certain stage of growing up."

– Publishers Weekly

"Honest and funny and altogether true to life...about people so thoroughly decent and attractive that one wants to reach out and embrace them all."

– Jonathan Yardley, Sports Illustrated

“Vision Quest is the truest novel about growing up since The Catcher in the Rye and it's a better novel about wrestling and wrestlers than The World According to Garp."

– John Irving, author of The World According to Garp

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