Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Rating Explanation

Language: 41 instances of swear words and profanity (and I probably missed a few)

Violence: A character has abusive parents, talk of him being hit

Sexual Content: Michael’s best friend, Shelly, is a girl he became friends with in fourth grade. It is rumored that Shelly is a lesbian. Locker room-type talk about the two of them figuring out “how the parts fit together.” They have made out a few times and Michael is trying to figure out if he wants to have sex with her or just remain friends.

Adult Themes: Teenagers drinking, talk about pot and beer. The theme of drugs and selling drugs carries throughout the book. Michael asks Joey, his long-time friend and a low-level drug dealer, to get him a couple of joints. When he is caught with pot in his locker, Michael has to decide whether to lie to the police or tell the truth.

Synopsis

Michael Kerrigan is a high school senior having his best year yet. He is captain of the track team, an aspiring writer getting his start at the local paper, and an all-around good guy. But just as track season is about to start, things begin to unravel. A drug sweep uncovers 4 joints in Michael’s locker. He can lie and salvage his life or tell the truth and suffer the consequences, but ultimately Michael recognizes that he has to be able to live with himself.

I think this book has several good messages for teenagers. Michael is very honest, especially with himself. He will not allow himself to rationalize or make excuses for his actions. He has a couple of hard decisions to make and, in my opinion, he makes the right choices. The story illustrates the impact that just one poor choice can have on a young person’s future.

©2009 The Literate Mother