A jumbo package of provocative contemporary issues centered on an appealing protagonist.
A high school athlete struggles to find his footing amid violent events and polarizing local politics.
Hot-button issues crowd the pages of Lipsyte’s latest, as an impulsive punch to a classmate’s jaw lands football co-captain Ronald “Rhino” Rhinehart in a mandatory therapy group that he shares with both his victim, an abrasive gun control activist, and unstable teen Keith Korn, who brings a rifle to school one day and tries to kill himself. Meanwhile, tensions in Rhino’s family and town are rising with the approach of the 2016 presidential election, and Rhino’s own hopes for a future in college ball take hits, even as spiteful rival teammate John Cogan spreads unfounded rumors that he’s gay and engineers an on-field ambush that leaves him with a serious concussion. Events escalate: A teacher is scapegoated for the gun incident, Rhino’s belligerent coach ignores Cogan’s bullying, and violence strikes Rhino’s personal circle and wider community. Still, for all his struggles to get his head straight (medically as well as morally), Rhino proves to be a calm eye amid the tumult, and if the results of his actions and choices seem a little too pat, his sharp intelligence, range of interests beyond football, and fundamental drive to do the right thing will leave readers solidly on his side. Rhino is white; there’s diversity in the supporting cast.
A jumbo package of provocative contemporary issues centered on an appealing protagonist. (Fiction. 13-17)Pub Date: Jan. 28, 2025
ISBN: 9780063343870
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice.
A teenage, not-so-lonely loner endures the wilds of high school in Austin, Texas.
Norris Kaplan, the protagonist of Philippe’s debut novel, is a hypersweaty, uber-snarky black, Haitian, French-Canadian pushing to survive life in his new school. His professor mom’s new tenure-track job transplants Norris mid–school year, and his biting wit and sarcasm are exposed through his cataloging of his new world in a field guide–style burn book. He’s greeted in his new life by an assortment of acquaintances, Liam, who is white and struggling with depression; Maddie, a self-sacrificing white cheerleader with a heart of gold; and Aarti, his Indian-American love interest who offers connection. Norris’ ego, fueled by his insecurities, often gets in the way of meaningful character development. The scenes showcasing his emotional growth are too brief and, despite foreshadowing, the climax falls flat because he still gets incredible personal access to people he’s hurt. A scene where Norris is confronted by his mother for getting drunk and belligerent with a white cop is diluted by his refusal or inability to grasp the severity of the situation and the resultant minor consequences. The humor is spot-on, as is the representation of the black diaspora; the opportunity for broader conversations about other topics is there, however, the uneven buildup of detailed, meaningful exchanges and the glibness of Norris’ voice detract.
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-282411-0
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
Despite the well-meaning warmth, a wearying plod.
Can a 17-year-old with her first girlfriend prevent real-life folks from discovering her online fandoms?
Cass is proudly queer, happily fat, and extremely secretive about being a fan who role-plays on Discord. Back in middle school, she had what she calls a gaming addiction, playing “The Sims” so much her parents had to take the game away. Now, turning to her role-play friends to cope with her fighting parents, she worries that people will judge her for her fannishness and online life. To be fair, her grades are suffering. And sure, maybe she’s missed a college application deadline. Also, her mom has suddenly left Minneapolis and moved to Maine to be with a man she met online. But on the other hand, Cass is finally dating her amazingly cute longtime crush, Taylor. Pansexual Taylor is a gamer, a little bit punk, White like Cass, and so, so great—but she still can’t help comparing her to Rowan, Cass’ online best friend and role-playing ship partner. But Rowan doesn’t want to be a dirty little secret and doesn’t see why Cass can’t be honest about this part of her life. The inevitable train wreck of her lies looms on the horizon for months in an overlong morality play building to the climax that includes tidy resolutions to all the character arcs that are quite heartwarming but, in the case of Cass’ estranged mother, narratively unearned.
Despite the well-meaning warmth, a wearying plod. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-06-324332-3
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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