Synopses & Reviews
William C. Morris Debut Award Finalist"One of the best young adult books I've read in years."--Pat Conroy
At the beginning of his junior year at a boys' boarding school, 16-year-old Alex is devastated when he fails to save a drowning friend. When questioned, Alex and his friend Glenn, who was also at the river, begin weaving their web of lies. Plagued by guilt, Alex takes refuge in the library, telling his tale in a journal he hides behind Moby-Dick. Caught in the web with Alex and Glenn is their English teacher, Miss Dovecott, fresh out of Princeton, who suspects there's more to what happened at the river when she perceives guilt in Alex's writing for class. She also sees poetic talent in Alex, which she encourages. As Alex responds to her attention, he discovers his true voice, one that goes against the boarding school bravado that Glenn embraces. When Glenn becomes convinced that Miss Dovecott is out to get them, Alex must choose between them.
From the Hardcover edition.
Synopsis
Michael L. Printz Honor Award-winning author of And We Stay Jenny Hubbard's powerful debut novel. "One of the best young adult books I've read in years."--PAT CONROY "Paper Covers Rock is dazzling in its intensity and intelligence, spell-binding in its terrible beauty." --KATHI APPELT, author of the Newbery Honor Book The Underneath Sixteen-year-old Alex has just begun his junior year at a boys' boarding school when he fails to save a friend from drowning in a river on campus. Afraid to reveal the whole truth, Alex and Glenn, who was also involved, decide to lie. But the boys weren't the only ones at the river that day . . . and they soon learn that every decision has a consequence.
A William C. Morris Debut Award Finalist
A Booklist Editors' Choice
A Horn Book Fanfare
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Flying Start Author
A Booklist Top 10 First Novel for Youth
An ABC Top 10 New Voices Selection
* "The poignant first-person narration is a deftly woven mixture of confessional entries, class assignments, poems, and letters. . . . A] tense dictation of secrets, lies, manipulation, and the ambiguity of honor." --The Horn Book Magazine, Starred
* In the tradition of John Knowles's A Separate Peace. . . . A powerful, ambitious debut." --Publishers Weekly, Starred
* Those who are looking for something to ponder will enjoy this compelling read." --School Library Journal, Starred
* "This novel introduces Hubbard as a bright light to watch on the YA literary scene." --Booklist, Starred
About the Author
JENNY HUBBARD is a poet and playwright, and has taught English in both high school and college for many years. This is her first novel.
From the Hardcover edition.