Paper Covers Rock

Gr 9 Up—Alex, 16, struggles with both grief and first love in this coming-of-age tale set in a prestigious all-boys' boarding school. After one of Alex's close friends accidentally drowns in the local river, Alex is caught between Glenn, the best friend he wants to trust, and the teacher he loves who may have seen more than she should have at the river that day. Alex takes solace in his writing, penning his first "novel" in a journal hidden at the library. While Glenn tries to draw Alex deeper into his scheme to be rid of the suspicious young English teacher, Alex finally finds his own voice and has to make some tough choices. Strong themes of friendship, loyalty, morality, homophobia, and self-awareness pervade this compact tale. Told in a series of journaled vignettes, narrator Steven Boyer aptly portrays Alex's uncertain and somber character. Only the most patient listeners, though, will be able to value the slow tension built as small scenes build to reveal larger secrets and the lengths the characters will go to keep them. This novel will be better appreciated in print format. An additional purchase for most libraries.—Jessica Miller, West Springfield Public Library, MA