Winger is a classic coming-of-age story; readers will respond to its complete package of teenage hormones, first love and mischief.
Andrew W. Smith (The Marbury Lens) creates an appealing narrator: "Nothing could possibly suck worse than being a junior in high school, alone at the top of your class, and fourteen years old all at the same time." Ryan Dean attends the prestigious Pine Mountain school, lives in a dorm called Opportunity Hall with other wrongdoers, and plays rugby with his friends. Occasional black-and-white illustrations by Sam Bosma not only quickly acclimate readers to rugby, but also and more often to Ryan Dean's inner genius. This is Ryan Dean's make-it-or-break-it year to reinvent himself, or at least that's what 16-year-old Annie Altman says. Ryan Dean finds Annie "smoking hot in an alluring and mature, 'naughty babysitter' kind of way." She finds him "adorable." At first, the biggest obstacle in this no-way romance is their two-year age difference. All their incredible chemistry and hilarious banter may not be enough in the long run.
Smith's masterful narrative of the hormonal yet insightful teenage boy flows smoothly throughout the novel. Whether in service of Ryan Dean's emotional arc as he tries to get the girl, or smaller moments such as pep talks with his gay friend Joey, it's an unforgettable and unflaggingly appealing voice.
An unexpected tragedy awaits the hero, and while this heartbreaking scene may pain readers, they'll close this must-read book with a sense of hope. --Adam Silvera, Paper Lantern Lit marketing assistant and former bookseller