BelovedauthorGaryD.SchmidtexpertlyblendscomedyandtragedyinthestoryofDougSwieteck,anunhappy“teenagethug“firstintroducedinTheWednesdayWars,whofindsconsolationandasenseofpossibilityinfriendshipandart.Atonceheartbreakingandhopeful,thisabsorbingnovelcentersonDoug,14,whohasanabusivefather,abullyforabrother,abadreputation,andshamefulsecretstokeep.Teachersandpoliceandhisrelativesthinkhe’sworthless,andhebelievesthem,holdingothersatarm’slength.Newlyarrivedintown,hestartsoutonthesamepath--antagonizingotherkids,mouthingofftoteachers,contemptuousofeverythingintimidatingorunfamiliar.Whowouldhavethoughtthatthepubliclibrarywouldturnouttobearefugeandaninspiration,thatasnootylibrarianmightbeafriend,orthatsnarkyredheadedLilwouldlikehim--reallylikehim?Withmorethanhisshareofpain,includingthereturnofhisoldestbrotherfromtheVietnamWar,shatteredandangry,willDougfindanythingbetterthan“okayfornow“?
