Stick
Today I read this, an ARC of Andrew Smith's forthcoming novel "Stick." Unless I get to go to a conference, I don't get many ARC's, and it's been awhile since I've begged for a book from my publisher. But given that Andrew's The Marbury Lens was one of my absolute favorites of 2010, I called in any favors I had to get ahold of this. ( Honestly, I get so annoyed when people go on and on about books that won't be out for months, almost like it's a cool club we can't be in, so I'm more than happy to send this ARC on a tour. Lemme know if you want in.)
The character of Stick, for lack of a better word, is TRUE. True and authentic and real and I felt like he could walk in my door at any moment. He is an 8th grade boy who broke my heart. So many parts of this story were just OMG moments. I read a lot. A lot. And I think some authors are only willing to take you so far, then let you off the hook. Maybe people even think that about me. But Andrew Smith doesn't do that. He takes you to the flippin' edge of the cliff and makes you jump off.
I loved this book.