Skinhead Birdy

Gr 9 Up—Tyler Ruiz has no trouble getting girls, but he does have trouble keeping his temper in check. Sent to detention, he meets Sara Allen, a skinhead. Tyler is intrigued, and then captivated, by Sara. Her life is so different from his hardscrabble existence. Tyler's father is a war veteran, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite the diagnosis, his father receives little support and is abusive to Tyler. Sara's well-off parents are loving and supportive but are finding it difficult to cope with Sara's increasingly erratic behavior. With its large typeface; very short, punchy sentences; and quick, two-to-three page chapters, this book will be successful with teens needing a high interest title at a lower reading level. It is fast-paced, and the characters are sympathetic. The punk/skinhead scene is written about knowledgeably but won't put off readers with no particular interest in that music. The work also touches upon mental health issues. What makes it suitable for reluctant readers—the fast pace, the short sentences—also makes it a confusing read, as it jumps quickly from scene to scene, with little explanation. There are scenes of sex and violence, although neither are graphically depicted.