THE SLEDDING HILL
Chris Crutcher
Greenwillow Books
Fiction
ISBN: 0060502436
240 pages

• Read an Excerpt
• Author Interview -- May 10, 2005

Eddie Proffit experiences a double dose of tragedy when both his father and best friend die in freak accidents within a short period of time. But Billy Bartholomew, his friend, doesn't disappear completely. He comes back to speak with Eddie and to help him find his way again. For a while Eddie talks to Billy only in his head, as he is not speaking to anyone for any reason while he tries to deal with his grief.

Eddie needs Billy's help now more than ever in a very confusing time. A Reverend his mother leans on for support is leading a fight to remove the book WARREN PEECE by Chris Crutcher from Eddie's English class. When Eddie read the book, he found friends in the characters, and he doesn't want to give it up. Other people Eddie admire also liked the book and are being punished for it. But popular kids who are involved with the church want Eddie to help fight for decency. Who is right?

Crutcher has won a host of awards for his popular and powerful books, including the Young Adult Library Services Association's Margaret A. Edwards Award for his impact on the world of teen literature. His acclaimed previous novel, WHALE TALK, has been challenged and even removed from some high school reading lists in two states due to language. Clearly, he is moved to write about the issue of censorship.

Crutcher even makes an appearance here in order to help Eddie defend the book. Written in his usual appealing style for teens, THE SLEDDING HILL is as important as it is enjoyable to read.

   --- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

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