Kenneth M. Cadow

I love the realistic portrait of rural poverty in this novel about 10th grader Ian, told in his authentic voice. The life-style of hard scrabble folks is told without romanticizing or condescension. Ian's life seems unbearable at times, yet he manages to shed light on his situation so that it doesn't seem like a relentless downward spiral. Positive aspects such as his beloved dog Gather, his neighbors, his girlfriend Sylvia, and his teacher The Spark all help to keep his head above water. Cadow's prose is lovely at the same time it manages to sound like a believable teenager's voice. I wish all school administrators, social service policy-makers, and budgeters would read this book.… (altro)

Hatchet meets Demon Copperfield.

Sixteen-year-old Ian - legal name Dorian Gray - lives in rural Vermont with his mom on what's left of the family farm, most of which was sold off, though when Ian was younger, Gramps promised the land would be his someday. Now that Gramps is dead, his dad lives in Tennessee, and Gram moved down to North Carolina, Ian still holds to that hope, even as his mom struggles with drug use, car trouble, and finding and keeping a job. Ian quits the basketball team, which he loves, to help support himself and his mom - and the enormous, gentle stray dog Ian names Gather.

*Spoiler alert*

When Ian's mom dies, teachers, neighbors, and community members rally around Ian, but he's still being sent away to live with his dad. But when his former friend's untrustworthy dad lets on that Gather won't be welcome, Ian flees, disappearing into the woods with his dog and surviving perfectly well until he can return to his real home, with the help of his teacher, The Sharpe; her partner, Christine (a lawyer, usefully); and others from home.

Throughout, Ian has a teen's cleareyed, no-bullshit view of a world with its priorities out of whack - a world that doesn't recognize or value his capabilities or knowledge. He's a person who can fix things, living in a throwaway culture; a hunter who understands and loves the land.

Printz Honor.

Quotes

Even good people can get you into trouble. (6)

"Sometimes, the closer you're paying attention, the more likely you are to be surprised." (Gramps to Ian, 18)

The things you remember. It makes a mess inside of you. (26)

But somebody from away telling me our ways are dumb, that just brings the goddam worst out of me. (72)

"Universities love to think about things. They just don't want to act on them." (Sylvia's dad John to Ian, 151)

"It's okay to drink to think, but don't ever drink to not think, Ian." (Gramps, 186)

It's interesting the parts of your life you keep so separate. (220)

If you don't have a lot of shit to do, you can get a lot of shit done. (267)

...when you think you're all done with a telling, you'd be surprised what people still want to know. I think I'm done, but people might feel different. (313)

It's a lot easier figuring out the land you come from than it is figuring out the people you come from. (321)… (altro)

National Book Award finalist and so well deserved! An incredible story of resilience in the face of poverty, love of land and family, and the support of community. Though heartbreaking at times, I couldn't put this down. Ian is a most admirable young man, full of woods and fix-it smarts, loyalty to family and land, and a good, good heart. "Gather" the Irish Wolfhound/Mastiff mix is his perfect complement. An immensely beautiful story with a strong voiced protagonist and a deft hand in human and canine understanding. Bravo, Kenneth M. Cadow!… (altro)