From the Bookshelf of Closter Public Library…

[close] An often enthralling book about Sam Hill (called Hell by his classmates), born with ocular albinism that gives him red eyes. Sam's devout Catholic mother tells him this is "God's will", but insists that he will have an extraordinary life. The chapters about Sam's youth in the '60s, going to Catholic school, called "devil boy" are hard to put down. Sam is bullied, but finds lifelong friends in Ernie, the only black child in the school, and Mickie, an outspoken girl. If the book had only been about his youth I would have loved it. However, it is interspersed with chapters about the adult Sam that are full of an obvious romantic subplot and some ridiculous coincidences. Despite that, reading about Sam's early years is well worth the book. I hope someone has bought the screen rights, as this could make a wonderful movie.