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Winger (Winger, #1)

Andrew Smith

Start date: July 1, 2013

Finish date: July 31, 2013

Discussion: Mock Printz 2014

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What Members Thought

Feb 12, 2013 Richie Partington rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction

Richie's Picks: WINGER by Andrew Smith, Simon & Schuster, May 2013, 448p., ISBN: 978-1-4424-4492-8

"How many friends have I really got?
You can count them on one hand.
How many friends have I really got?
"How many friends have I really got?
That love me, that want me, that'll take me as I am?"
-- Pete Townshend (1975)

"'You know, nothing ever goes back exactly the way it was. Things just expand and contract. Like the universe, like breathing. But you'll never fill your lungs up with the same air twice. ...more

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Jun 28, 2013 Mark rated it it was amazing

Shelves: humor, mature-readers, relationships, young-adult-literature, coming-of-age, glbtq, bullying-peer-pressure, sports, illustrated, sex

If I wasn't packing for a conference, I'd write a more thorough review - this will have to hold its place for now:

I read a lot, and I read a lot of YA. Not only is this probably the best book I've read all year, it's one of the best I've ever read. To label it only as "YA," though, is to miss the point of the book. This is a coming-of-age story that is going to be on award lists next year, and I hope will be widely read for years to come. Andrew Smith has always written strong books that impact ...more

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Jul 10, 2013 Terri rated it it was amazing

Andrew Smith is a writer to watch. He is arguably the most/one of the most interesting young adult writers currently producing for teens. "Ghost Medicine" (which was brilliant), "In the Path of Falling Objects" (which I hated - fantastic writing, but disturbing), "The Marbury Lens" series (which I can't keep on the shelf in the library I run), and the latest, "Winger," are all solid choices for boys. How rare is that? "Andrew Smith" is definitely a name to watch!

"Winger" is at once hilarious, ho Andrew Smith is a writer to watch. He is arguably the most/one of the most interesting young adult writers currently producing for teens. "Ghost Medicine" (which was brilliant), "In the Path of Falling Objects" (which I hated - fantastic writing, but disturbing), "The Marbury Lens" series (which I can't keep on the shelf in the library I run), and the latest, "Winger," are all solid choices for boys. How rare is that? "Andrew Smith" is definitely a name to watch!

"Winger" is at once hilarious, honest, and haunting. Ryan Dean Mario West (AKA "Winger")is a fourteen year old junior at private high school, Pine Mountain. His first person narration lays out his thoughts and feelings with candor and humor. I laughed out loud, really belly laughed, over and over again - even on the treadmill at the gym where everyone thought I was crazy. Being a brilliant kid (literally) housed in "O-Hall," the dorm for kids who have committed infractions, with the friendless bully,Chas, presents Winger with some challenges as his junior year begins. Add to that the fact that he is in love with Annie (a junior) and in lust with Chas's girlfriend Megan (and just about any other female), the fact that dorm monitor Mrs. Singer seems to have put a hex on him, and the fact that his best friend is gay - and you have the makings of a chaotic junior year. However, Winger has balls, as he is often told, so he takes his lumps, gets up, and continues on. As the story begins, he relies on both words and drawings to communicate his messages. But as the story progresses, he relies more and more on his words. This was really touching at the end of the book.

Smith's latest is a rare combination of a compelling plot and great character development. It is nearly impossible not to fall love with all of these characters, especially Winger who is filled with all of the angst, confusion, and hormones of a teenage boy. And, being a particularly smart boy, he is aware of his shortcomings and strengths. We get inside his head and see him in all of his complexities.

Lessons here are abundant. Issues of sexuality, friendship, loyalty, truth, attitude, persistence, self-discovery, and so much more are found in these pages.

The rugby element is unique to this book - Winger and all of his friends are on the varsity rugby team. As this is a sport I am totally unfamiliar with, I had a little trouble figuring all of that out, though Winger/Smith do a pretty good job making it clear. Some may object to the language, underage drinking, violence, and sex (nothing graphic or gratuitous) in the book - but I felt it was handled beautifully and so true to the experience of many teen boys. I would recommend the book to juniors and seniors - and mature freshmen and sophomores. Finally, the surprise twist at the end felt like a little too much - and I wish it had been Winger's own mom and dad who had provided him with comfort, rather than Annie's. Smith didn't take enough time setting this up and dealing with all of its ramifications at the book's end. However, it brought me to tears - the true sign a good book for me.

Highly, highly recommended. Watch for this title as awards season approaches. Just fantastic! Teen boys will love it (it reminded me in some ways of "Swim the Fly," but better written and for more mature boys).

...more

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Aug 01, 2013 Sherry Rampey rated it it was amazing

If you ever wonder what a guy is thinking when is 14, look no further, this is a book for you to read. Ryan Dean is in love with his best friend, but thinks every girl is HOT. He is afraid of getting his butt kicked but is the first to jump into a fight. Ryan Dean is a loser, or so he thinks.

I got a kick out of the miniature cartoons and mini-dialogues. I was reeling with laughter over the bathroom consequence. I am sitting here laughing while writing this review just thinking about it. While I ...more

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Oct 30, 2013 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: cln, young-adult

Ryan Dean West is a young 14-year-old Junior at a private school named Pine Mountain. He is a rugby player and completely, head-over-heels in love with Annie who is two years older than him. He made a stupid mistake last school year and is now relegated to "O" hall, the dorms for mischief makers. He is bunking with Chas, an unpredictable bully who Ryan Dean is initially scared of but eventually learns to live with. Throughout the book, Ryan Dean struggles with telling Annie that he loves her and ...more

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Jun 26, 2013 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: teen-ya

Poor Ryan. He is 14 years old and starting his JUNIOR year at his boarding school. He just wants to fit in and stop being treated like a little kid. Oh, and if his best friend Angela could fall in love with him, that would be GREAT too!

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Jul 08, 2013 Wendy rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, in-my-classroom-library, pg13

Waffling on giving it a five for the ending. A book hasn't actually made me cry in awhile. But while I get the comparisons to An Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, there wasn't quite as much variety in the humor, nor--with the hugely glaring exception of the ending--the unflinching look at the really really hard parts of life. I will definitely be seeking out other books by this author, and I am so glad I followed up when I heard it recommended. ...more

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