Fouling Out

August 1, 2008
Gr 5-7-Craig Trilosky has been friends with Tom since second grade. Now he's beginning to reconsider their relationship; the older they get, the more trouble Tom gets them both into. Tom's father is abusive, and his own behavior is unpredictable. Things come to a head when he attempts to shoot a squirrel and Craig tries to stop him, leading to what the media labels a hate crime when the stray bullet shatters the window of a Chinese family's house. Consumed by guilt, Craig is shocked when Tom beats him up but then takes responsibility for the incident. However, the threat of foster care causes Tom to run away. Craig confesses everything to his mother, and when Tom, suffering from hypothermia, comes to them for help, Craig's mother takes charge, eventually helping to get him from Vancouver to an uncle in Saskatchewan. There is little build-up to Craig's abrupt confession, and it seems unrealistic that his mother doesn't contact the authorities. Craig's narrative voice doesn't always ring true; not too many 13-year-old boys use words like "buffoon," "guffaw," and "sleuthing." However, kids who are dealing with the desire to redefine themselves apart from a difficult friendship may relate to Craig's situation."Laurie Slagenwhite, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2008
A teenager struggles to steer a course away from a risky friend in this conventional but not agenda-ridden debut. Thirteen-year-old Craig has hung out with Tom ever since third grade, but now all the pranks and blowing off schoolwork are starting to wear thin. Plainly drawing on his experiences as a teacher and principal, Walters tucks in seemingly authentic classroom dynamics, silly games, andhorsing around while capturing Craigs conflicting feelings as his longtime buddy exhibits increasingly erratic behavior. A scary near miss with a gun brings matters to a head. Tom runs away from home to escape the retribution of his violent, abusive father, and Craig, after much inner turmoil and with some unexpected adult assistance, helps Tommake a clean break. This isnt likely to draw a wide audience, but there are some vivid moments, and Craigs insight that "acts of charity should make a difference, not highlight a difference" is worth pondering.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)