Jeans, Peter. Stoker's Bay.JEANS, Peter. Stoker's Bay. International Specialized spe·cial·ize v. spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing, spe·cial·iz·es v.intr. 1. To pursue a special activity, occupation, or field of study. 2. Book Services (920 NE 58th Ave, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786). 222p. c2003. 1-876268-97-2. $13.50. JS "A philosopher once said that there were as many sorrows in love as there were grains of sand in the desert. He was right." From these first lines in this sequel to Bodger, set in the coastal town of North Bay, Australia, readers will be riveted. We witness Angus McCrea negotiate many things: a hilarious discussion with his dad on the "facts of life," homesickness when he departs for high school, a first crush, a deepening deep·en tr. & intr.v. deep·ened, deep·en·ing, deep·ens To make or become deep or deeper. Noun 1. deepening - a process of becoming deeper and more profound friendship with Kes Grimshaw, who becomes his best friend, and his first "real" love, Kate Perguson, a girl who lives on a sailboat with her father in North Bay's harbor and who eventually reveals that she lost her mother in a drunk driving accident. Kes is not without his secrets either. His twin sister drowned when an older boy attempted to take liberties with her while they were swimming and he stood frozen on the shore. It is this detail that drives the novel when Charlie Ratliffe, an older boy in town, continues to sexually harass harass (either harris or huh-rass) v. systematic and/or continual unwanted and annoying pestering, which often includes threats and demands. This can include lewd or offensive remarks, sexual advances, threatening telephone calls from collection agencies, hassling by Kate. Kate attempts to set boundaries, Angus defends her honor, and Kes is reminded of what precipitated his sister's death and more importantly, that he did nothing to save her. The book climaxes when Charlie kidnaps Kate and the two boys set out to save her. Charlie dies in the ensuing en·sue intr.v. en·sued, en·su·ing, en·sues 1. To follow as a consequence or result. See Synonyms at follow. 2. To take place subsequently. confrontation and Angus and readers will question whether or not Kes killed him. A compelling exploration of loyalty, truth. love and loss, and what Angus describes as a moment when Kes "surrendered a portion of his own humanity." There is a smattering of swear swear v. 1) to declare under oath that one will tell the truth (sometimes "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"). Failure to tell the truth, and do so knowingly, is the crime of perjury. words and references to sex and sexual situations. Highly recommended. Annette Wells, Komachin Middle School, Lacey lac·ey adj. Variant of lacy. , WA |
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