Winger

by Andrew Smith
Hennepin County Library hardcover 439 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction

Wow. This one had a bit too much swearing for me, but it is the perfect book for a ninth grade boy. Ryan Dean West is a 14-year-old junior at a private school. He plays rugby, but struggles to relate to his older peers in the junior class. He is in love with his best friend, Annie Altman, but gets frustrated when she sees him as a "little boy." He's also extremely horny and turned on by almost any female that he finds attractive.

Chas Becker / JP Tureau / Seanie / Joey / the various adults . . . the characters are wonderfully drawn and the story is very engaging. I was somewhat surprised by the ending.