Summary
Stephen Fair is having strange dreams. The strangest thing about them, though, is that they're the same dreams his brother had before he ran away. Stephen is sure that these dreams mean something, but his mother is growing more and more mysterious about why his father and brother left. Fortunately, Stephen has his friends, who have named themselves the "usual suspects," to keep him distracted from his growing sense of unease.
Stephen Fair is having strange dreams. The strangest thing about them, though, is that they're the same dreams his brother had before he ran away. Stephen is sure that these dreams mean something, but his mother is growing more and more mysterious about why his father and brother left. Fortunately, Stephen has his friends, who have named themselves the "usual suspects," to keep him distracted from his growing sense of unease.
Evaluative comments
Stephen Fair is an extraordinarily well-written novel, making excellent use of setting and imagery to add further depth to the story. The characters are fully formed, with their own particular quirks, but still very real. The references to the film "Casablanca" throughout the novel are well integrated, and serve to heighten the atmosphere of the story. This is a book I would highly recommend, and would be a very interesting book to read for a second time after knowing how it ends.
Stephen Fair is an extraordinarily well-written novel, making excellent use of setting and imagery to add further depth to the story. The characters are fully formed, with their own particular quirks, but still very real. The references to the film "Casablanca" throughout the novel are well integrated, and serve to heighten the atmosphere of the story. This is a book I would highly recommend, and would be a very interesting book to read for a second time after knowing how it ends.
Suggested audience
Grades 8-12
Grades 8-12
Reader’s advisory notes
Appeal terms - Character-driven, reflective, amusing, compelling,
Read-alikes - Zack, William Bell; Mistik Lake, Martha Brooks
Appeal terms - Character-driven, reflective, amusing, compelling,
Read-alikes - Zack, William Bell; Mistik Lake, Martha Brooks
Booktalking hook
Read Stephen's dream in the prologue
Read Stephen's dream in the prologue
Reason for inclusion
Tim Wynne-Jones is an award winning Canadian author.
Tim Wynne-Jones is an award winning Canadian author.
Category
Canadian, Realistic
Canadian, Realistic
