My Brother the Shadow
Ralph Fletcher
Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown and Co.
An unflinching portrayal of brotherhood in the face of addiction, told in gripping and heartfelt verse, perfect for reluctant readers.
Twelve-year-old Marco has always felt close to his older brother, Chase. Somewhat shy, Marco feels a bit braver in the presence of Chase’s reckless confidence. But when his brother goes to college, Marco can immediately tell something is off. Chase’s words slur when he calls, and his grades start to drop. Soon Chase is asked to leave school. When he returns home, he’s a shell of himself and Marco can’t recognize the brother he once knew. Even Marco’s parents are at a loss for how to help Chase, and every day introduces a new reason to worry. Feeling trapped, Marco throws himself into photography as a way to cope. But when an overdose devastates their community, Marco can’t shake the feeling that Chase could be next.
Inspired by Ralph Fletcher’s lived experience with a family member battling addiction, this powerful novel in verse features a thoughtful protagonist navigating difficult family circumstances. The story includes stunning photography that encapsulates the emotional world of the narrator.
Also Known as Rowan Pohi
Ralph Fletcher
Clarion Books
To dispel boredom while waiting for tenth grade to begin, Bobby and his friends create an imaginary kid named Rowan Pohi (that’s IHOP backwards) and apply to the prestigious Whitestone Prep in Rowan’s name. When, surprisingly, Rowan’s application is accepted, Bobby impulsively reinvents himself as Rowan and embarks on an edgy life of deception in the rarefied world of Whitestone. Told with Ralph Fletcher’s trademark blend of humor and depth, the story of Rowan’s rise and fall is a funny, poignant, and suspenseful riff on the adolescent search for identity.
The One O’Clock Chop
Ralph Fletcher
Henry Holt
It’s the summer of 1973 and fourteen year old Matt spends his days working on a boat as a clam digger to earn extra money. His nights are another story–he spends time with his free-spirited cousin Jazzy who is visiting from Hawaii (and just happens to be beautiful). Matt can’t deny that his affection for Jazzy moves beyond a crush, and everyone knows you can’t fall in love with your cousin. Just when Matt decides to act on his feelings, Jazzy does something that changes everything between them.
Like the one o’clock chop–the strong breeze that blows across the Long Island Sound–Matt’s summer proves to be as inevitable as a force of nature. Told with pitch-perfect angst and realism, Ralph Fletcher tells a gripping story of a teenager’s life-altering summer.