Winger

 

Smith, A. (2013) Winger. Simon and Schuster.

I finished this book 24 hours ago and I am still processing the emotional ending to this book. Winger is the story of a 14-year-old junior at Pine Mountain Academy, a boarding school on the West Coast. Ryan Dean West embarks on a quest to toughen up during his junior year. It is difficult for him being 2 years younger than his classmates. He is struggling to find the courage to change the dynamics of his friendship with Annie Altman into a romantic relationship. He is seemingly helpless to stop the advances of his roommate’s super-hot girlfriend even though he is in love with his best friend and fears for his life if his roommate finds out. He is struggling in his relationship with his former roommates and develops a friendship with an older rugby teammate who gives him very sound advice. I am not sure how many books I have read with a teenage male protagonist, and I had to laugh thinking that Ryan Dean’s stream of consciousness is probably more common than not for boys of his age – it is largely a commentary of how hot any female he interacts with rates and very sex focused but not vulgar. Although I have no experience with boarding schools or the types of teens who are sent to them, this seemed down-to-earth and was overall very enjoyable. Andrew Smith describes the surroundings so well I feel that I am walking the school grounds with Ryan Dean.

Sequel: Stand-Off

YMAL: Homeroom Diaries by James Patterson or And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard

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