 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Stoner & Spaz
- By Ron Koertge
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Edgy, sardonic book is OK for mature readers.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that one main character in this book uses drugs and wonders why they're illegal. In the end she goes back to using drugs. There is some gritty language as well as references to masturbation, oral sex, molestation, homosexuality, and a (not graphic) sex scene. But teen readers will likely take something else away: Through a unique friendship, Colleen makes Ben begin to see how he's been wasting his life holding
himself aloof from everyone out of self-pity. And Ben helps Colleen
begin to make her way out of her haze of drugs, at least temporarily. They become more complex than their
derogatory monikers -- and Ben in particular matures and is able to see himself in a new light.
What's the story?
Ben, a teen with cerebral palsy and an obsession with movies, has been properly brought up by his prim, overprotective, but caring grandmother. Colleen, his classmate, is a drug addict and dealer who sleeps around. Together they are ''Stoner & Spaz'' When at their first meeting Colleen vomits down the side of Ben's grandmother's car, their unlikely friendship doesn't seem destined to last. But each treats the other as a real human being, something neither has experienced before. And, since Colleen's jock boyfriend isn't threatened by Ben and is even, in his own fatheaded way, kind to him, they begin spending a lot of time together, despite Grandmother's disapproval. Colleen makes Ben begin to see how he's been wasting his life holding himself aloof from everyone out of self-pity. And Ben helps Colleen begin to make her way out of her haze of drugs, at least temporarily.
Is it any good?
Ben tells the story, and his sardonic view of teen life, and of himself, is mostly amusing and clever, and the part of his humor that is self-pitying is knocked flat by Colleen's wicked directness. Though it's Ben's voice and story, the book is really about Colleen, a charming, if disgusting, junkie who's too smart to be behaving this stupidly.
Poet and novelist Ron Koertge's forte is tight, witty dialogue, and he uses it to great effect here. Conversations between Ben and Colleen, his grandmother, his neighbor, and his classmates sparkle with sharp patter reminiscent of '40s movies. This brief, fast-moving, funny story, with doses of sex, swearing, and drugs, will keep even reluctant teen readers turning the pages.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the book's title. Why do you think the author chose Stoner and Spaz rather than Colleen and Ben? Is it just to grab attention -- or does it work on another level? You're not supposed to judge a book by its cover -- or title -- but do you?
Parents who want to delve more deeply into the plot can talk about drug use, and how it defines every aspect of Colleen's life. Do you think she'll ever stay clean? What would you have done if you were in Ben's shoes?
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AGE
excellent
For mature 12 year olds and up....this book is very excellent
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AGE
something diferent
I am a middle school librarian, so I read a lot, and mostly read YA books. I read this book last fall and really loved it. The main reason was that Ben (the protagonist) was a fully realized individual, with his own interests, quirks and thoughts, not just "some poor kid with cerebral palsy." I once had a friend who had muscular dystrophy and through our friendship got to understand a little bit about what she thought about living with a disability, especially the way others reacted to her. I found it very refreshing to encounter a charecter with a disability in a young adult novel that was so multi-dimensional. His releationship with Colleen is so engaging because she sees him as an individual first, without focusing on the cerebral palsy. Yes, Colleen is a drug addict, but Ben continually tries to encourage her to quit. Yes, there is some swearing and sex. Frankly, I hear much worse coming out of the mouths of my middle schoolers when they tell me about the R rated movies they watch and Grand Theft Auto Video Games they play. I'd much rather a student read a book where they might think a little and be introduced to new ideas about people diferent than themselves than keep it away from them because it doesn't pound away at an anti-drug message. The kids I sugested this book to loved it because it was so honest and realistic.
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AGE
GREAT BOOK
this book caught my attention and i could not stop reading it. it doesnt tell you to do drugs cause you see how it is bad for her. if youare looking ffor a book just about drugs this isnt it cause thqt what i thought but i still loved it. it got me pulled in and feeling the emothions of the characters. i could imagine everything they said as real like and it just played out perfectly. i recomended this for all my friends =]
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AGE
I loved it
I absolutely loved this book. One of my favorites for sure. It is amazing for someone my age(16). It reminded me of my school. I think everyone can releate to either Ben or Colleen.
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AGE
How do you say..."Best Seller"?
This book was so amazing, if you cant tell already its a favorite. A must read for all teens and a good conversation starter. I loved every word of it and every nano-second i had free was filled with this book. The endingds kinda sad, and i can only wish for a sequal, but over all major Kudos and props to Ron Koertge.
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AGE
Definitely something anyone who has gone through rehab can relate to...
I loved this book. I myself have gone through rehab six times and fallen back into old habits. But thanks to friends, much like Colleen's in the book, I have been pretty straight for six months now. This is an awe-inspiring book and I recommend it to anyone.
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AGE
Meh
The book has a pretty good build up and then it's as if the author tried to finish the novel within four pages. It skims through the parts that in my opinion are key moments or the best parts of the novel. This is just a way kids can access the world of sex, drugs, and rocknroll without a parent's restriction. Then again parents don't care as long as its a book and not a graphic movie!
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AGE
Not a fairytale
I used to read this book, among others, alot while in high school. It constantly reminded me of the truth of life and high school in general. While most parents and teachers think it's unmoral to teach kids about things such and drugs, sex, and violence, adults need to keep in mind that kids will find a way to learn this on their own if reality isn't taught to them. Yes, we all want our kids to keep their innocence and such until they're at least 34, but if you're being practical, most kids learn about substance abuse and sex at about the age of 13-14 because of their friends and their 'friends'. I've noticed that too many parents let themselves be dillusioned into thinking that their teen is still five years old and in need of a security blanket.
I may not have a degree that tells people that I know every thing there is to know about what's 'wrong' with someone else's child, but I use my own common sense to try and understand the differences between a child 'under the influence' of their peers and a child that's been taught the correct way to deal with these sorts of things.
In my opinion, Stoner and Spaz is a great book for a parent and their teen to read.
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| Author: | Ron Koertge |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Candlewick Press |
| Publication date: | April 24, 2004 |
| Number of pages: | 169 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
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