Fighting to Keep Drugs Out of the Games
"I wrote this book to show young readers science in action and how difficult work was accomplished only because key people helped one another."
Go to:
Praise from Reviewers
Look Inside the Book
For Teachers
Frequently Asked Questions
References Used to Write the Book
Press Kit
Book Description:
The Night Olympic Team takes readers behind the scenes at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City to discover how lab scientists catch athletes on performance-enhancing drugs, which are prohibited because using them is cheating. Teachers can use the book in the classroom to spark discussions of scientific and ethical issues in doping in sports. The clear language makes it an easy crash course in anti-doping basics for adults.
Nonfiction
Hardcover, 56 pages.
Full-color photographs, glossary, resources, index.
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press (May 2008)
ISBN-10: 1-59078-566-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-59078-566-9
E-book: Kindle Edition, 76 KB
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press (May 2008)
ASIN: B001CRPH30
Audiobook (CD or cassette)
Publisher: Recorded Books
A Pennsylvania School Librarian's Association Top 40 Young Adult Books Pick for 2008-2009
A California Readers’ selection for the 2009-2012 Middle School California Collection
Read the School Library Journal Interview
Praise from Reviewers:
"An outstanding resource for reports on drugs in sports or the Olympics.”--Library Media Connection
| Read more | |
| Hatton has simplified the scientific terminology and provided understandable explanations of the science behind NESP. Colorful, crisp photographs of Salt Lake City during the Olympics, scientists at work, and microscopic examples pull the reader into the book. At the end of each chapter a full page inset explores related topics such as anabolic steroids, drug tweaking, history of doping, and the testing process. Career information is included as is information on the fine line athletes must walk to test drug free. [...] Recommended. | |
"A must-read on doping...Caroline Hatton's 'The Night Olympic Team' is an essential in-depth look at drug cheating in sports."
--Philip Hersh
Special to the Los Angeles Times
Read more
"Gripping."
--YES Mag, the Science Magazine for Adventurous Minds
Read more
"[A] detective story…packed with convincing reasons to compete clean."
--Robert Ito
Los Angeles Magazine
"Readers will certainly understand one of the more complicated subtexts of the upcoming Olympics much better after spending some time with this… readable offering.”
--Kirkus Reviews
| Read more | |
| "Hatton does a creditable job of explaining the chemical alphabet-soup jargon of drugs and drug-testing, abetted by a design that features short chapters and fact boxes that both flesh out the story's details and offer supplementary facts about doping. Along the way, she makes a strong case for the importance to both health and integrity for the stringent treatment of offenders. Readers will certainly understand one of the more complicated subtexts of the upcoming Olympics much better after spending some time with this… readable offering.” |
|
“Hatton’s approach to the issues raised by the use of performance-enhancing drugs is fair-minded and kid-friendly.”
--School Library Journal
| Read more | |
| "A concise, readable account of a group of scientists who are working to detect forbidden drug use in sports. ...Hatton’s approach to the issues raised by the use of performance-enhancing drugs is fair-minded and kid-friendly. When considering why athletes cheat, she observes: “A gold medal might make an athlete a national hero or lead to fabulous wealth. Some athletes feel too much pressure to win from fans, loved ones, or even themselves.” Teachers and young readers will appreciate Hatton’s personable manner and her keen perspective on this timely subject." | |
"...A scientific thriller."
--Scripps News
| Read more | |
| "Hatton tackles a difficult issue with grace and clarity... [The book] offers readers a unique glimpse into how science can make a difference in keeping the Olympics fair and drug-free." | |
"A unique perspective."
--Sandy Mitchell
www.LightTheTorch.net
| Read more | |
| "...sheds light on the topic of keeping drugs out of the Olympic Games. Dr. Hatton worked inside the testing lab for the 2002 Winter Games and has a unique perspective on the problem. The book is the result of her own experience plus interviews with more than 80 lawyers, other scientists, and sport officials. Far from being a dry, scientific text, "The Night Olympic Team" uses photos, charts, and easy-to-read text to shed light on the history, testing, procedures, and future of "doping" in the Olympics." | |
"Great nonfiction for all ages. As interesting and enjoyable as a good novel. Clear explanation about why performance enhancing drugs are banned and their effects on the human body"
--In Linda's Library, blog by Emerson School (for gifted K-8 education) Librarian, Ann Arbor, Michigan
"Fascinating story."
--Terry Pierce
The News Review
Read more
"Timely and informative."
—Reviewers of Young Adult Literature
"A true-life adventure story."
--Caroline Arnold
Author of 30 Outstanding Science Trade Books - Children’s Book Council and National Science Teachers’ Association (CBC/NSTA)
| Read more | |
| In this timely and highly readable account of the unmasking of three Olympic athletes who used a performance-enhancing drug that they thought would be undetectable, and the scientists who discovered and identified that drug, Caroline Hatton has created a true-life adventure story. Clearly written, with a “you are there” sense of immediacy, we are pulled into the story of the drug testing lab at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, participating in the nightly urgency as the scientists process urine samples provided by athletes the previous day. With pronunciation guides for difficult words and sidebars to explain complicated concepts and related issues, the author keeps the main story focused on the drama of unfolding events. Holding us in suspense until the final chapter, Caroline Hatton helps us understand the dedication, challenges, and rewards of the Night Olympic Team. | |
"Well done."
--Jim Ferstle
Freelance Writer
| Read more | |
| Teachers are an important audience as the kids are where the future will be influenced. Will the next generation be as jaded and open to temptation as the current one? Time will tell. But books like this one are necessary to provide solid information and context to the issue. It's well done, nicely illustrated, and should be well received. | |
Look Inside The Night Olympic Team:
Click here to view inside the book.
Buy the Book:
Click on a bookseller
| Once Upon a Story Books |
Amazon |
| Skylight Books |
Barnes & Noble |
Look Inside the E-Book and Buy it:
Click here to preview the Kindle book and buy it.For Teachers:
At schools that use the Accelerated Reader program, students pick Accelerated Reader books and read them at their own pace, take a quiz, and teachers get immediate feedback on individual students' reading progress. For The Night Olympic Team, Quiz No. 121674 is available here.Video: Introduction to Sports Doping Control (2 min 20 sec)
Informational video made by Agilent Technologies for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Caroline K. Hatton, Ph.D. (UCLA Olympic Lab consultant at the time) and Stuart P. Cram, Ph.D. (Agilent Technologies) appear in it.
Curriculum ties
California
- Grade 5
- Middle School
- High School
New York State
- Grade 5-8
- Grade 9-12
Activities (reading, writing, debate, art)
More resources at the page Against Drugs in Sports
Frequently Asked Questions
How long did it take to publish The Night Olympic Team?
| Read more | |
| It took me two years to write the book and two more years to find the publisher. Then it took only nine months to publish the book. | |
How does the EPO (blood booster) test work?
| Read more | |
| http://www.antidopingresearch.org/EPOtestJuly08.pdf | |
Were the three 2002 Olympics cases described in the book also based on blood tests, in addition to urine tests?
| Read more | |
| Yes! In each case, a blood sample had been collected at the same time as the urine sample in which NESP (the prohibited blood booster) was found. Both the blood and urine were analyzed at the UCLA Olympic Lab in Salt Lake City. The test results met the criteria for reporting the cases. | |
The Night Olympic Team describes how clean athlete Beckie Scott got bumped up in the ranking when dopers were disqualified. Were other athletes bumped up for the same reason?
| Read more | |
| Yes! For example, Norwegians Thomas Alsgaard and Frode Estil got bumped up to gold, and Kristen Skjeldal to bronze. | |
Can sports ever be drug-free?
| Read more | |
| We'll never catch every single drug user, but we have room to cramp the style of dopers and have reasonably drug-free sports. | |
For answers to the following questions and more, see the School Library Journal interview.
What was it like being a member of the Night Olympic Team?
How stressful was it to work under such a tight deadline?
Tell us about the night your team discovered NESP in an athlete’s urine.
Did you feel bad about someone’s career being ruined?
References Used to Write the Book:
available upon requestPress Kit
Click here
Click on other titles by Caroline Hatton:
Where Is My Puppy?
Surprise Moon
A Pet for Grandma
Vero and Philippe