Synopses & Reviews
A four-man flag-football team in need of an Oyster.Sixteen-year-old Flint McCallister is the captain of a four-man flag-football team called Three Clams and an Oyster. Flint and the other two Clams, Beaterson and Deshutsis, are going to give this season all theyve got, but, as usual, theyre having Oyster problems. The first Oyster on the team died a couple of years ago. The current one, Cade Savage, is partying too hard and is unreliable. Flint and the Clams are faced with a dilemma: should they stick with their old friend Cade or dump him and go with a new Oyster? And if they dump Cade, who will they get to replace him? Tim Goon, the unknown quantity with the roadkill hairdo? Thor, the nice-guy stoner? Or the girl, Summerfield, who pushes them out of their comfort zone and doesnt shave her legs?
In searching for an Oyster, Flint and his buddies are forced to reexamine their hallowed traditions and old habits - and to take a hard look at who they are and where theyre going.
Review
"The odd title refers to a four-man flag football team, comprised of high school chums stuggling with growing pains and with a team history as odd as its name . . . The plot and writing are top-notch, as usual for this author." --
VOYA
About the Author
RANDY POWELL is the author of many books for young adults, including Dean Duffy and Tribute to Another Dead Rock Star, both ALA Best Books for Young Adults. He lives in Seattle, Washington.
Reading Group Guide
1. Why has it been so hard for the Clams to search for a fifth team member after Glens death? What was Glens role in their group? How did Cade fit in then, and how does he fit in now? In spite of Flints righteous anger at Cade,
why is Flint so willing to find excuses for their Oysters infuriating behavior?
2. The Clams are very big on tradition and ritual. What does this tell us about the group? Flint says, “This weekend, weve run away from pretty much everything new and different thats come along.” [p. 155] What are some of the things theyve run away from, and why?
3. Commenting on why the three Clams dont drink, Flint says, “This avoidance of alcohol no doubt gets in the way of our growing up and becoming men.” [p. 58] Does he really believe this? Show how this whole passage is an example of irony. What rituals or milestones are valid ways of marking the attainment of manhood in our society?
4. When Rachel tries out for the team, she demonstrates great skills, but the Clams are not convinced. How does she torpedo her chances with them? Do you think she was right to be strong about what she wanted, or should she have lain low until she had paid her dues with the team? Deshutsis says, “Dont ever try to make a girl one of the guys,” [p. 42], but much later, after a lot has happened, Beaterson asks, “Are we men enough to let Summerfield
become one of us?” [p. 184] What realizations have led to the second statement?
5. Flint thinks, “She would change the chemistry between us three Clams. I dont know whether that would be bad or good, but it would be different.” [p. 124] In the end, we see Rachel as one of the Clams. How has she changed the chemistry? Or has she?
6.Does it show womanly tendencies for a boy to bake cookies? Does it show manly tendencies for a girl not to shave her legs?