Gr 9-11- Parker makes his second foray into YA literature with this tale of a 15-year-old aspiring boxer trying to solve the murder of one of his classmates, deemed a suicide by the authorities. As in his adult "Spenser" books, the question is not so much who committed the crime as how the protagonist will catch him (it is apparent pretty early on who the bad guys are). Terry Novak battles a group of powerful, evil individuals with only his wits, toughness, and a few loyal friends to help him. He has a personal code that requires him to avenge wrongdoing against innocents and will use violence only when forced to. In many ways it is Terry himself rather than the solving of the crime that is the main focus of the novel: haltingly, and often inarticulately, he begins to explore what it means to live honorably, with moral purpose. In this he is aided by George, the wise, elderly black man who is teaching him to fight, and by Abby, the sassy beauty whom Terry hopes to make his girlfriend. As in any Parker novel, the dialogue is delightful. Character is revealed in a word, a phrase, or sometimes even a gesture. (Has any writer ever conveyed more meaning through a shrug?) While some may object that the fight scenes are a little too graphic or the resolution a little too neat, few could question either the quality of the writing or the book's undeniable appeal to teen readers.-Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT
His name was Jason Green and he was dead. When a shy high school student's body is found washed up on the shore of a quiet New England beach town-an alleged suicide linked to steroids-fifteen-year-old boxer-in-training Terry Novak isn't quite sure what to think. Something just doesn't add up. Artsy and withdrawn, Jason wasn't exactly the type to be doing 'roids.
So Terry, with the help of his friend Abby, decides to do some investigating of his own. It doesn't take long, though, before they learn that asking questions puts them in grave danger and that survival is going to be a fight.
Fortunately, Terry has learned a thing or two about fighting.
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So Terry, with the help of his friend Abby, decides to do some investigating of his own. It doesn't take long, though, before they learn that asking questions puts them in grave danger and that survival is going to be a fight.
Fortunately, Terry has learned a thing or two about fighting.
The Boxer and the Spy
His name was Jason Green and he was dead. When a shy high school student's body is found washed up on the shore of a quiet New England beach town-an alleged suicide linked to steroids-fifteen-year-old boxer-in-training Terry Novak isn't quite sure what to think. Something just doesn't add up. Artsy and withdrawn, Jason wasn't exactly the type to be doing 'roids.
So Terry, with the help of his friend Abby, decides to do some investigating of his own. It doesn't take long, though, before they learn that asking questions puts them in grave danger and that survival is going to be a fight.
Fortunately, Terry has learned a thing or two about fighting.
So Terry, with the help of his friend Abby, decides to do some investigating of his own. It doesn't take long, though, before they learn that asking questions puts them in grave danger and that survival is going to be a fight.
Fortunately, Terry has learned a thing or two about fighting.
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940171908553 |
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Publisher: | Penguin Random House |
Publication date: | 04/28/2009 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
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