Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sprout is a character to remember!, 1 Jun 2009
Sprout is a fantastic character, and I thoroughly enjoyed being in his head. He's kooky and intelligent, and possesses a maturity not usually seen in a 16-year-old. Through essays written for a school competition, Sprout delves into his life and relationships, and takes us along for the ride.
Sprout's sexuality isn't the be all and end all of this book, it's just a small part of an extremely complex character. Hiding behind his green hair and less than perfect home life, Sprout sets out to fit in within the walls of a school where he feels he doesn't really belong. He has friends, yes, but no-one besides Ruthie really gets him, until he meets Ty.
I found Sprout's relationship with Ty quite strange at first, but I soon came to love it. It's an eye-opener for both characters, and helps them to realise there is always a silver lining to every situation. It's a nice change to have a male narrator, especially one as open and honest as Sprout. I liked his observations and attitude to life, and how he dealt with the obstacles he faced.
Sprout is a coming of age story about a boy who thought life had nothing to offer him. It's a positive portrayal of homosexuality, and approaches the subject realistically. I can't wait to see what Dale Peck writes next, and I hope we'll see more of Sprout in the future. He's definitely worth reading about, and I hope his story can encourage people to be themselves, and not hide behind an appearance or persona.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Original, witty and most enjoyable coming of age story, 25 Oct 2009
Daniel Bradford, alias Sprout, moved to Kansas at the age of twelve from Long Island with his Dad following the death of his mother. They set up home in a trailer on a large tract of land where they live a somewhat eccentric life. During his first week at his new school, in and attempt to shock his schoolmates out of picking on him, Daniel dyes his hair green and becomes Sprout.
At the age of sixteen he comes to the attention of English teacher Mrs Miller, who recognises in Sprout the potential as a candidate for the State essay competition, and begins tutoring him in preparation. When he announces to Mrs Miller that he is gay and should write about this, she dissuades him, telling him to keep it quite (despite the fact that everyone else seems to know!).
Sprout tells of his time in his new school, and particularly of the events of the year he turns sixteen; of his relationship with Ruthie who befriends him in his first week; of his relationship with handsome school jock Ian, conducted mainly in the janitors cupboard; and especially of his relationship with another new boy, Ty, which develops into something very special.
It is a touching story told by a misfit who is more than content to be so. But what make this story special is the nature of the telling. Sprouts love of writing and of words shines through, he speaks directly to the reader in fresh and lively voice. It is a funny, entertaining, witty, frank, above all a most enjoyable read. It does not really matter what Sprout is writing about, it is just a pleasure the read what he is saying; that he dose have something to say, that there is relevant message that he delivers at the conclusion, makes it all the more worthwhile.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Weird and fun, 23 Oct 2009
It took me a while to get into this story. Sprout is extraordinarily fond of words and word-play, and hides himself for the first chunk of book behind this. It all seemed a little contrived to me. Sure, being gay is only ever part of someone and it's good to get a more rounded picture .. but for me the book only started to come alive once he'd met Ty and the hiding (mostly) disappeared. Both Sprout and Ty are engagingly weird (everyone is weird, including me and you, but not everyone is engaging too), and I found I couldn't put the book down from needing to find out what happens to them. Good stuff.
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