THE BULLY AND EMILY DICKINSON

Two Seattle teenagers in 1960 conceive pranks that sometimes backfire in this debut YA novel.

In the last moments of English class before summer vacation begins, 13-year-old Dennis Fishel can barely pay attention to his teacher’s reflections on an Emily Dickinson poem: “Even the smallest things we do in kindness for others can not only help us feel better about ourselves, but make our world a little brighter.” Though Dennis isn’t a bully like Russell Folmer, a neighbor kid and notorious lunch stealer, he doesn’t go out of his way to be kind. When Jay Walters, a boy his age, moves next door, Dennis is more interested in his model-airplane hobby than friendship. But Jay also builds model planes, and the two soon become pals and partners in crime. While Jay’s pranks lead to trouble, he and Dennis often wiggle out by blaming Russell, whom they’re delighted to see punished in their stead. But over time, Dennis learns that appearances aren’t always what they seem—and starts listening to his conscience in a new way. In his tale, author Fishel conjures up one scenario after another of hijinks and schemes that have much anarchic appeal, such as flying a kite armed with dog turds to bomb an enemy. The temptation to follow Jay’s lead is easy to understand. As an only child who’s often at loose ends, Dennis appreciates that “boredom didn’t hang around very long with Jay Walters nearby,” and he gains some courage from his friend. Although the boys do pull off some stunts, the story is balanced with consequences—as when they’re caught in a shoplifting plot and are tricked into performing hours of backbreaking unpaid work. When the resolution arrives, it feels earned, not preachy.

An amusing coming-of-age tale that nicely blends mischief with growing maturity.