This book was definitely a good one. I've been slowly working my way through all of Andrew Smith's books, and while I don't think that this one is my favorite (that honor probably goes to Winger), it's definitely up there. It's definitely a hard-hitting, thought-provoking book, that's for sure. The main character is a thirteen-fourteen year old boy named Stark "Stick" McClellen, and his older brother Bosten. They're abused at home, and things only get worse when their father finds out that Bosten is gay. Most of the book is so overwhelmingly bleak that it's hard to not read it without tearing up a little. The format of the book can get a little interesting, too - Stick only has one ear, and everyone else's dialogue is spaced apart to mimic how he would hear it. At times, the text breaks into an almost verse-like format. It's interesting, and I thought it did add to the story. I did like Stick, Bosten, and the various minor characters (Emily, Aunt Delilah, Kim & Evan, Paul...), and I thought that the book as a whole was written well. I enjoyed reading it. Add this one to the list of "books where the main character has too many problems to even be real." Stark, or Stick as he is called, was born without an ear. Also, his older brother is gay and has to keep it a secret. Also, his dad abuses him and his brother - he beats them and locks them in the guest room when they're bad - with no clothes, no sheets, a bucket for a toilet, etc. The brothers do eventually escape, but there's a lot of bad stuff before they get out. The dad molests the older brother, the younger brother is almost raped at least three times, there's lots of drug use. The book would definitely be popular among my students, but because of all of the red flags, I will not be adding this book to my collection.
Do You like book Minha Metade Silenciosa (2014)?
This book helped remind me that every student I work with has some kind of challenge to deal with.
—julie97
It's like The Perks of Being of a Wallflower, except it's actually quite good.
—dcloots
