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Powell's Q&A: Sam Stephenson

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   $28.00 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

   The Jazz Loft Project: Photographs and Tapes of W. Eugene Smith from 821 Sixth Avenue, 1957-1965

   Sam Stephenson and W. Eugene Smith

Staff Pick

This is the one of the best young adult novels of the year, and is without a doubt among the best-written young adult books I have ever read. Sprout is the story of Daniel Bradford (his nickname is Sprout; note the green hair on the cover), a smart, funny misfit in his small Kansas town. He's got a dead mother, a depressed father, a self-absorbed best friend, and a drunken mentor — meaning he's basically figuring out life and love all on his own.

Funny, real, and touching, this book is such a compelling read that I found myself picking it up to re-read only weeks after I finished it the first time (in a single night!). The whole story feels like a puzzle where we are slowly figuring out who Sprout is while he, in turn, is figuring out for himself how he fits in the world.
Recommended by Rachael W., Powell's City of Books

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:

Becky Laney, May 27, 2009 (view all comments by Becky Laney)
Meet Sprout. The green-haired wonder of a boy who doesn't have it all figured out. He's got some things figured out: he knows he's gay; he knows his father is an alcoholic. But he doesn't have his life all figured out. (Does anybody? If they say they do, are they are lying?) Since his mom died, Sprout's life has been, well, weird.

Sprout is an eccentric teen, no doubt. And it's more than just his green hair. One teacher, Mrs. Miller, notices his genius, his gift for writing, his gift with words. She sees in him a chance to win big. The essay-writing contest. He just needs some polishing, something that she's more than willing to do day after summer day. And since Sprout isn't that popular a kid, he's got the time to spare. Will a summer spent in private with the teacher change a boy's life forever? Maybe, maybe not.

The narrative is practically perfect. Wit. Humor. Heart. This book has everything that I needed and wanted. Loved the writing of this one.

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Product Details

ISBN:

9781599901602

Subtitle:

Or My Salad Days, When I Was Green in Judgment

Author:

Peck, Dale

Publisher:

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Subject:

Fathers and sons

Subject:

Friendship

Subject:

General

Subject:

General Juvenile Fiction

Subject:

Homosexuality

Subject:

Kansas

Edition Description:

Trade Cloth

Publication Date:

May 2009

Binding:

Hardcover

Grade Level:

- Up

Language:

English

Pages:

277

Dimensions:

8.08x6.24x.99 in. .79 lbs.

Age Level:

13-17