Stark "Stick" McClellan and his brother struggle through everyday life. Stick is a thirteen-year-old boy who was born with one ear, under an abusive and often cruel, militant father and mother. His older brother, Bosten, is unable to be open about his sexuality in fear of his parent’s wrath. Although Stick is abused at home and bullied at school for his deformity, he has the love of his brother and his one best friend, Emily who he also loves very much.
Once his parents discover that Bosten is gay, their physical and mental cruelty begins to take its toll. After a severe beating at the hands of his father, Bosten leaves home for their Aunt Dahlia’s house in California. Stick eventually follows Bosten and the book turns from an interpersonal drama to more of an adventure. Along the way, he meets people who are good, bad, and indifferent to him, but he holds out hope for love and finding his brother. In the end, Stick is able to reunite with his brother and they never look back.
The first-person narrative gives the reader an in depth look at Stick and what he and his brother were forced to endure at the hands of their parents. We also see the unconditional love as Stick goes in search of his brother. This novel covers a wide range of topics ranging from family abuse, homosexuality, depression, and acceptance. However, the most heartfelt theme is brotherly love.
Stick’s mental struggle to accept his physical deformation fits into Havighurst’s Theories of Developmental Tasks. In addition, the dysfunctional relationship between the boys and their parents matches up perfectly with this age group. Stick’s feelings toward Emily are to be expected as readers in this phase of development establish more mature relationships with people of the opposite sex. With so many sensitive topics addressed, I think this book is most appropriate for eighth grade through high school readers.
**Required YA author
Additional Resources:
http://ghostmedicine.blogspot.com/ - Author’s Blog
http://www.authorandrewsmith.com/Author_Andrew_Smith/Home.html - Author’s Website
Book Trailer
No comments:
Post a Comment