Alison Reads

Parallel stories of two boys abandoned by their fathers told in spare blank verse. One story is the biblical one of Ishmael and the other is about modernday Sam, whose father has a new wife and son. Both boys rely on their faith in God to help them adjust to their new status. A quick read, somewhat confusing since it jumps back and forth in time. A YRCA 2008 nominee for grades 10-12, it is also suitable for middle schoolers. (Those who were upset by the appearance of the word “scrotum” in The Higher Power of Lucky should be aware that this book contains the word “foreskin“.)