Winger

Let me start by saying that books set in boarding school always have some tragic element to them. This gem by Andrew Smith is no exception. Ryan Dean West is a fourteen year old Junior at Pine Mountain. He is smart, hilarious, artistic and the winger on the rugby team. He is in love with Annie and will be spending his year in O-Hall for students who have broken some rule. Ryan Dean is determined to survive his neanderthal roommate Chas while winning Annie's heart. Along the way he will become best friends with the rugby team captain, Joey, who happens to be gay, he will take on the biggest and meanest boys at school, he will make out with one of the hottest girls on the planet and he will run naked in the woods in the rain. Ryan Dean does not lack in confidence. He is sure that he is wearing Annie down and that she wants to kiss him and believe it or not, he may be right. But mixed in with the seriously laugh out loud humor (trust me, this book is filled with hilarity) is the underlying current that being different can get you hurt. Or worse. The end of this book is crushing. And sad. And heartbreaking. However, Ryan Dean is a character that I am better for having met and I will carry him with me henceforth. I also learned a little bit about rugby along the way. So no supernatural elements, no princess assassins, just the reality of growing up in boarding school where fending for yourself is a bit of an art form and growing up can be a treacherous path. You will be better for having spent some time in Ryan Dean's world.
 Happy reading my friends.