REVIEWS & HONORS
-- New York Times, Book Reviews
“There is much to admire... For one, there aren't easy villains. With Stump's parents, Hershey takes what appear to be types - the absentee father, the evil stepmother - and gradually reveals them to be characters of nuance and satisfying complexity. The author also has a convincing, lively "boy" voice and even better, a sense of humor."
Click to read the entire New York Times Review
-- Ellen Jackson
“In this compelling story, a twelve-year-old boy, missing a leg since he fell from a ski-lift when he was eight, struggles to resolve the conflicts within himself and to deal with the anger triggered by his father’s desertion of the family. Alastair’s take on his life is sometimes poignant, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, but always convincing. Observant readers will appreciate the subtle shifts in Alastair’s perspective as he comes to terms with the imperfect adults around him and learns about discipline, focus, and forgiveness. Hershey’s writing is both witty and profound. An engaging read.”
-- American Cheerleader
“… a book that will leave you cheering on the main character until the last page.”
-- Publisher’s Weekly
“Lively, first-person narrative brings to life Hershey's newest protagonist, Alastair Hudson, a one-legged 13-year-old with dashing good looks, a wicked sense of humor and an enormous chip on his shoulder… Depicting tragic circumstances and comic situations with equal expertise, the author offers a poignant novel populated with complex, memorable characters.”
–- Kirkus Magazine
“…the voice of Stump, vibrating with emotion and intensity, is the main draw.”
-- School Library Journal
“The plot whirls to the climactic competition, an emotional maelstrom…”
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