Thursday, September 13, 2018

Thursday Teen Book Review: Copyboy by Vince Vawter


From the publisher: 

In the sequel to the Newbery Honor-winning novel Paperboy, Victor Vollmer sets off to fulfill a final request of Mr. Spiro, the aging neighbor who became his friend and mentor. Now a few years older and working as a newspaper copyboy, Victor plans to spread Mr. Spiro’s ashes at the mouth of the Mississippi River as the former merchant marine wished. 

But the journey will not be a simple one. Victor will confront a strange and threatening world, and when his abilities and confidence get put to the test, he’ll lean on a fascinating girl named Philomene for help. Together they’ll venture toward the place where river meets sea, and they’ll race to evade Hurricane Betsy as it bears down. 

My thoughts: 

This is definitely one of the best books I've read this year--truly an undiscovered gem.

The story continues where Paperboy left off, and I'll admit that I went back and read that one first. Where Paperboy is a beautiful middle-grade, Paperboy is a great YA. We follow Victor as he's about to go off to college when his mentor Mr. Spiro passes away and asks Victor to spread his ashes.

The journey takes Victor to the Gulf Coast; the author reflects the culture there so well. I loved how this was a coming-of-age story that transcends the genre.

Highly recommend for all ages; a YA that's appropriate for a strong MG reader who is not quite ready for the stronger YA content.


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