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Gr 8 Up—A tall, thin frame has earned 13-year-old Stark McClellan the nickname "Stick." He was born with a deformed ear, more like a hole in his head, and he is hyperaware of what he sees as a grotesque physical defect. His older brother, Bosten, defends him from bullies when he can, and the boys do their best to look out for each other when their abusive parents are on the rampage. Stick has one friend, Emily, but not much else is good in his life. When Bosten finds some smal...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

"Stick" is at least slightly better than his given name of "Stark," but what he's called is the least of this thirteen-year-old's problems. Stick was born with only one ear, his narration occasionally spaced across the page to mimic his hearing, and his parents are secretly and sadistically brutal. For the slightest infraction of their petty and/or incomprehensible rules, Stick's father will beat him and his older brother Bo...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Thirteen-year-old “Stick” was born with only one ear and secretly sadistic parents; for the slightest infrac...Log In or Sign Up to Read More