Tex in Ask S.E. Hinton - Monday, June 17th!

Dec 31, 2011 jess rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, yaf

I picked this up when I breezed through the YAF section of the library looking for easy books to hit my 2011 reading goal. (I was successful, by the way, thanks to Tex.) I've read The Outsiders, and I grew up in Oklahoma, but I have never really gotten into S.E. Hinton's body of work. I think that should probably change, though. There is something about her teenage boys that really speaks to my heart. Anyway, if you emotionally respond to the rough and tumble hardships and adventures of handsome I picked this up when I breezed through the YAF section of the library looking for easy books to hit my 2011 reading goal. (I was successful, by the way, thanks to Tex.) I've read The Outsiders, and I grew up in Oklahoma, but I have never really gotten into S.E. Hinton's body of work. I think that should probably change, though. There is something about her teenage boys that really speaks to my heart. Anyway, if you emotionally respond to the rough and tumble hardships and adventures of handsome young men, check this one out.

Texas is fifteen. His dad is always gone, working somewhere on the rodeo circuit. His big brother, Mason, is providing for them as best he can while trying to get a basketball scholarship so he can escape from Oklahoma. (Boy, do I know that feeling.) Tex loves his horse, his best friend's big sister, and his absentee Pop.

The story is compact and quick-moving. The language is accessible, but there is a kind of poetry in the world of these teenage boys. Tex is something of a wild west philosopher despite all his swagger, and his coming-of-age is transmitted through that lens. This book has a big heart that appeals to readers beyond the yaf crowd.

The story does a good job of pitting the brothers against the forces that work to ruin their lives (drugs, the law, unintentional pregnancy, motorcycles, trouble at school, you know, all the sorts of bad news and misfortunes that tend to follow certain people). Through all the predicaments and heartache, I felt really tender toward the brothers. It is easy for me to empathize with them, cheer for them, and cringe alongside their troubles. The ending scenes almost had me in tears, and after I finished the book, I held it to my chest and gave it a squeeze. There are messages here about the morality of dealing drugs, committing crime and so on, but it didn't feel heavy-handed or preachy like a DARE officer or church camp.

Notes:
** How come Tex gets so much bullshit thrown at him? The constant stream of unjust bullshit really builds. The guy can't get a break.
** Their mom died like, last year? But it doesn't seem like they are struggling with a lot of maternal loss here. The struggle is more about the dad being gone. That's a little weird since it seems like she was the primary parent for most of their lives, right?
** I love the way Mason and Texas were contrasted ( a hawk and Bambi, respectively) and how Tex was so strangely unaware/uncomfortable with his handsomeness. ...more

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Feb 26, 2008 Eileen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I found a very new copy of this at a yard sale last year and bought it. I read all of S.E. Hinton's books back when I was in junior high and totally in love with Matt Dillon.

I still love this story!!! Tex McCormick is such a likable character and you want him to be happy!!! such a down to earth, esay going person, that matt played so perfectly!! ...more

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