Stetson

by S.L. Rottman

Seventeen-year-old Stetson hasn't seen his mother in years and tries to keep a good distance from his alcoholic father, but when his father introduces him to a sister who recently appeared at their home, Stetson finds himself being concerned with his new, rebellious sibling. Reprint.

Genres: Young Adult, Teen, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2002

Reviews

[Gavin Fister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found that this book was sad when you thought of Stetson's life, he would do anything for money and to avoid his abusive father.

[RVGSteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the new year/decade approached, I thought about which book from my extensive collection I should read next. I figured being the last book of the decade (2010s) and the first book of the new decade (2020s) that it should be a very notable book. Something like the first Harry Potter (which is still on my to-read list and I definitely plan to read the series at some point this decade) or The Grapes of Wrath. But there was one book I purchased recently that just kept nipping away at my brain. It was S.L. Rottman's novel "Stetson" aimed toward teens and young adults.

Stetson is a simple but emotionally moving book about a 17 year old boy named Stetson. The unique title/name and the cool orange and black cover immediately grabbed my interest, but it was the intriguing plot that had me sold. Stetson is working on restoring a Honda Civic as he goes through his senior year of high school. His dad is an alcoholic and verbally abusive. Stetson wants to bail town and make something more of himself than working at the local mill, where most everyone goes after high school (if they don't drop out first, that is). One day Stetson comes home to find a strange 14 year old girl sitting in his living room. It’s his sister, Kayla. Their mom died recently so Kayla went back to her dad’s. Stet never knew she existed and vice versa. The book features a lot of dialogue and not much description. But the story had a good flow. I liked Stet’s relationship with Jason, the owner of the scrap yard where Jason works after school. Their relationship was very believable and it was easy to picture every scene they were in. I loved Jason's propensity to flip off Stet in good fun. The book touches on some heavy themes. Definitely a book I had a lot of fun reading! It's not the greatest book ever but even at 222 pages it's a pretty fast read with nice font and lots of dialogue. I love it when I have a good feeling about a book before I even start reading it, and then coming to find out my gut was right all along -- that it is a good read after all. Stetson definitely was! You might not have heard of it -- I know I didn't until I saw it on the shelf at a used book store just a few short weeks ago -- but it is worth checking out.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stetson is dealing with an alcoholic father and a mother who has taken off. Stetson struggles in school, as well, and gets expelled for a prank on a teacher. Could his life get worse? That's when Kayla shows up, the little sister he never knew he had. With the death of their mother, Kayla has nowhere to go.

Stetson takes the role of big brother very seriously and tries to help Kayla, even though her drinking and other self-destructive behavior is right up their dad's alley.

[Jonah Barkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

stetson took kayla to school. he went to mr. johnsons room and he discussed a success contract.

[Melenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

💙💙💙😭😭😭💙💙💙😭😭😭

[Quiinn Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in high school multiple times it was my favorite book.

[Carrie Lawler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stetson is titled for its protagonist, Stetson. Stetson is a high school senior whose world is working against him. His mom left when he was a young child, his dad is an alcoholic, and his friends are all trying to pull him into their world of dropping out and early pregnancy. Then, Kayla comes into his life. Without anywhere to go, Kayla appears at her dad's doorstep... that's right, now Stetson is also has a step-sister to contend with. Kayla brings her own set of issues with her, but soon her and Stetson plan an escape from their small town and the doomed fate that awaits them if they stay.

I've found that this book is popular with middle-school boys who are either struggling readers or reluctant readers. The first chapter is especially effective at grabbing readers- just read it and you'll know why! I would not read this as a whole class, but would recommend it to the boys that fit the category I mentioned above or for a boys' book club. Great book!

[Vashane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stetson is a book by S.L.Rottman, the book is about a Seventeen year old Stetson, Stet has two goals: graduate from high school (even though all his friends have already dropped out to go work at the mill) and finish rebuilding an old Honda Civic (even though his father doesn’t think Stet’s capable of finishing anything).
When Stet’s fourteen-year-old sister shows up, he discovers that sometimes responsibility can take you beyond your original goals. Stet and Kayla now have to go to school together, eat together, and face their father together.This book is really amazing i would recommend this book to anyone who like story about boys with messed up life. i feel that i can relate to Stet because i he had to pull apart cars, i have to pull apart bikes and fix them for my friends

[Freddie Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stetson is a high school senior whose world is working against him. His mom left when he was a young child, his dad is an alcoholic, and his friends are all trying to pull him into their world of dropping out and early pregnancy. Then, Kayla comes into his life. Without anywhere to go, Kayla appears at her dad's doorstep... that's right, now Stetson is also has a step-sister to contend with. Kayla brings her own set of issues with her, but soon her and Stetson plan an escape from their small town and the doomed fate that awaits them if they stay.

I've liked this book because it has its funny moments but it also has some sad one where you were at first laughing then you wanted to cry i would recommend this book it is interesting..

[David Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about a young teenager named Stetson who lives with his alcoholic dad and goes to school while finding a safe haven at the car repair shop he works at while rebuilding an old Honda. He eventually meets his long lost sister, Kayla, Stetson decides to live life in a more pleasant way while taking care of his younger sister. A theme that can be seen through this book would be the importance of responsibility. Throughout the story, it seems that although Stetson was quite young, he was very responsible considering he worked and attended school. A way to incorporate this responsibility into a curriculum is by letting the students have certain classroom chores to complete per week and reward them for their actions.

[ruelas l.]

I liked this book because he really was trying to get through high school.I kinda' got me to fell the way the characters felt.I liked the ways the author gave stetson like a refuge.In this case the refuge was the salvage yard and at least he had a friend...Jason.I didn't really like the way it ended because when it ended i thought it was going to keep on going.But then,i turned the page and saw a blank page i was like wow.

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew my mind. I picked this book up for 25 cents at a school library sale and after reading it I would have spent 20 bucks on it easily. One of the best and most relatable books I have ever read. I now lend it to people who aren't into reading but wish they were knowing that this book has a good chance of getting them to read. Those people have given it back to me after a little while raving about it.

[Christian Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing that I liked about this book was the very sad ending. Losing a long time friend/boss to cancer and having a little sister in a coma after a severe car accident that totalled his valuable car that he worked so hard on had a huge impact on his goal to graudate. It made me feel sorry for Stetson but overall I enjoyed the book.

[Lyric Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. It let us know whats happen it in his life and real life now today. In his readings he show us what happen in people regular life. I couldn't put it down til I was done. I could't believe how the father didnt even care about Stetson, just that he bout so money home and left his beer alone.

[Nick Hoge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a senior in highschool who is probably not gunna graduate, but he loves cars. He live with his dad who is a drunk and his mom left him when he was a kid. His sister kayla shows up which he has never met before and they both gotta ive through staying with their drunk dad. i personaly liked the book and thought it was interesti g due to the plot twists throughout the book.

[Nikolas M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could relate to this book a little bit. I didn't personally have it happened to me, but i have a cousin who did. The book was good, i really enjoyed being able to know what this character is going through and all his emotions that happen to him. The author does a great job of explaining the story and keeping you engaged through out it all.

[Max W]

Stetson is about a teenage kid living in a small town with his drunk of a dad and going into his senior year of school. For this reason being me living in a small town while also liking cars I like this book a lot. The book really showed what it was like living like Stetson and feeling the feelings he did. I recommend this book to really anybody older, it's a good book for all more mature ages.

[Jared Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked this book and i can relate with some of stetsons problems i also have a car and work on it a lot i feel sorry for him because he has to live with his alcoholic father over all i feel this was a really good book that kept me wanting more

[Victor torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cool book if your into Cars! Really simple to read!
Stet is in one of the worst siutstions! Trying to finish school with pranks and barely doing homework. This book would set anyone with family problems!

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stet is trying to graduate from high school, but his interfering alcoholic father want him to drop out from H.S. & go to work at the mill. Only Stet's job at the local car junk dealer keeps him sane. Then an unkown 14 yr old sister Kayla shows up. OK

[Kristurk]

I thought the book was very good it was a attention getter an the ending of the book was good it had alot of excitement in it right in the beginning. i think this is a good book to read if you like excitement and cars.

[Annemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cool because I like seeing how some people deal with parental abuse. I really felt bad for the characters though.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It ended unclimaticly. It did however make you feel for the characters. Towards the end i felt bad about the way things were going for stetson. The car should never have been hurt
:(

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one. Give it to all the boys when they tell me they don't read. This and Hero get them reading!

[Asenath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for reluctant readers.

[Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a life dicovery for stet. good book

[Jordan Winchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great book!

[Gabrille · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is good. It has swearing words because this book is for teens. But this book has a message while reading the story.

[Aziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read. Nothing crazy in the book, just a nice simple story, with enough to keep you reading and entertained. Kind of a short novel, finished it in about 3 sittings.

[Sergio guzman]

it was a really good book it was easy to read and fast