Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this is for teens only. Though not overly graphic or explicit, it is filled with references to sex, drugs, and (have to say it) rock 'n' roll. The main teen character experiences oral sex several times, as well as a couple of heavy make-out sessions.
Families who read this book could discuss the depiction of high school life here. Is your school anything like this? Are hazing, sex, and drugs as prevalent as they are in the book? Why do teens treat each other this way? Do you and your friends share Tom's views of the Boomer generation? Also, there's the unresolved mystery. Based on the evidence in the book, what do you think really happened to Tom's dad?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
This debut novel by East Bay punk rocker Dr. Frank has so much going for it that it may be the literary find of the year. First, it's laugh-out-loud, still-chuckling-10-minutes-later funny, the kind of clever, sardonic, intelligent humor that will have your teens calling up their friends to read passages out loud.
Among the many hilarious joys here -- most especially the young narrator's voice and caustic cynicism -- are the 25 different rock band names (along with album, song, and performer names, all helpfully listed in the back) that Tom comes up with, as well as a witty glossary (with mispronunciations courtesy of an English teacher in the story).
The humor, though, is set in high relief by the story's depth, complexity, and sophistication. There's a realism here that goes far beyond most books, either for teens or for adults. All of the characters, major and minor, are more than meet the eye, the layers of their personalities don't always fit together as smoothly as they usually do in fiction. Their lives are as complex as their personalities.
The story itself isn't exactly linear: Tom is simultaneously involved in surviving school, trying to learn about his dead father, bonding with his stepfather, navigating new relationships, forming a rock band, tracking down a girl he met, and more. He's cynical yet endearingly innocent, goodhearted, and at the same time brilliant and clueless -- in fact far more like Holden Caulfield than he'd like to admit.
The mystery of Tom's father's death is never solved, and very few ends are neatly tied up. But unlike most books that try this, it isn't frustrating at all -- in fact it makes perfect sense.
Interspersed with all this are Tom's, and the author's, musings, bits of philosophy, rants, and outsider observations, often wickedly funny and always interesting and thought provoking. Together it all makes for a delightful read.
From The Book
I have this idea, a dream, really, that part of what it would mean is that the boyfriend is in this little club with the girlfriend where when one is hurt or troubled or being assailed by the cruelties of the world, the other decides not to be on the side of the world, but to join forces with the other member of the club against the world, even if it's frowned upon, even if it's a doomed scenario, even if the world is definitely gonna win. Like you're allies. The last remnant of your people. A Sex Alliance Against Society. But maybe I have it all wrong. It does sound like a quaint, far-fetched idea, now that I've put it in words. And also overly dramatic, if something can be o. d. and q. at the same time.
Plot Summary:
Tom Henderson is a decent kid on the fringes of the high school from hell -- though it may, in fact, be just like most high schools. He's persistently tormented (by boys) and humiliated (by girls), and the teachers and administrators are little better. His father died years ago under mysterious circumstances, his mother is a distant self-medicator, and his stepfather a well-meaning but inane aging hippie.
Tom's only solace is his one friend, Sam, and their pastime of making up imaginary rock bands. Then he finds a set of books, including Catcher in the Rye (which everyone in the world except Tom seems to love) left by his father, which contain what may be clues both to his life and his death. Or maybe not.
Related Books:
More Dark Teen Humor
Slot Machine by Chris Lynch
The Adventures of Blue Avenger by Norma Howe
The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian
Stoner & Spaz by Ron Koertge
You Don't Know Me by David Klass
The Crimes and Punishments of Miss Payne by Barry Jonsberg
This Book Is All About
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
Related Web Sites
Author's site
Books Mentioned in the Text
Music Mentioned in the Text
Music Written by the Characters
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentLots of references to teen sex, masturbation, oral sex, child molesters, sodomy, rape, and porn. Tom kisses and fondles a girl and experiences oral sex. An adult character is busted for running a teen sex porn ring. |
 |
 |
|
|
ViolenceTom is beaten and bullied, as are other characters. He also beats up a bully. A couple of possible murders or suicides. Much hazing, and nasty boxing matches. |
|
 |
|
|
LanguageLots of "f--k"s and other swearing, including many offensive sexual words and put-downs. |
|
|
|
|
Message |
|
|
|
|
Social BehaviorTom is a smart kid who cares about his family and likes to learn things that interest him, although most of what he's "taught" in school doesn't fall in that category (he's constantly running down the educational system). Lots of bullying and cruel behavior from other kids. |
 |
|
 |
|
CommercialismSome guitars/musical equipment mentioned by name. Lots of bands/musicians mentioned by name. |
|
|
|
|
Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoPlenty of smoking, drinking, and drugs (both prescription and illegal) used with no consequences by both adults and teens. |
|
|
|
|
