Lucky

From the Publisher

School Library Journal
(June 1, 2004; 0-439-54655-9)

Gr 9 Up-This is de Oliveira's first novel, and he's a writer to watch. Sam Smith is a young, sexually confused teen living in Surrey, England. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, Brenda and Pod, and is passionate about playing on the local football team. Then he meets self-confident Toby, another gifted player, who happens to be gay. Toby introduces Sam to the contemporary gay scene in London, which includes Soho nightlife. Sam is intrigued and wonders if he might be gay, as well, especially after he notices mysterious and attractive "Him," a young stranger who occasionally shows up at football games. Eventually Sam comes to the realization that "These are the facts. I'm attracted to boys and girls.- I'm just Sam. I was born like this." De Oliveira has a mature, concise writing style and an excellent command of narrative pacing and dialogue. Sam and his friends are believable characters, flawed but likable, and the author's examination of contemporary British youth will probably intrigue American readers. Raw language and British slang (snogging, shagging, poof, cheeky git, etc.) are used liberally throughout, which requires some adjustment at first. Overall, this is a well-written and insightful novel that should appeal to relatively sophisticated young adult readers.-Robert Gray, East Central Regional Library, Cambridge, MN Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly
(February 23, 2004; 0-439-54655-9)

Nineteen-year-old Sam examines his sexual identity in De Oliveira's often clever but sometimes sluggish debut. Told as a flashback, the British teen recounts events occurring between the end of his first year of college and his team's annual August soccer match with its rivals. At the start of summer, Sam finally admits to himself, "I might possibly in effect maybe potentially have the capability to fancy boys" as well as girls, but he's concerned about how teammates and old friends will respond. A new friendship with Toby, who is also "gentle," pushes him to open up, but not until Toby hooks up with Lucy does Sam realize that he "really, really liked the guy." While Sam's self-study is often overly cerebral, it does occasion some silliness ("Or how about sexuality as a Venn diagram?" Sam asks Toby). Readers will appreciate the author's creation of a funny, flawed-if not always likable-protagonist with a realistically complicated sexuality, and the storytelling includes memorable incidents. In one humiliating scene, Sam vomits after being overwhelmed by his first trip to London's gay quarter, and in another more triumphant moment his teammates stand up to their coach for him just before the big game. Unfortunately, other plot points, such as Sam's one-time hook-up with Lucy, or the sudden appearance of his crush-from-afar at his soccer practice, seem random or underdeveloped and ultimately zap the momentum from Sam's story. Ages 12-up. (Feb.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Nineteen-year-old Sam examines his sexual identity in De Oliveira's often clever but sometimes sluggish debut. Told as a flashback, the British teen recounts events occurring between the end of his first year of college and his team's annual August soccer match with its rivals. At the start of summer, Sam finally admits to himself, "I might possibly in effect maybe potentially have the capability to fancy boys" as well as girls, but he's concerned about how teammates and old friends will respond. A new friendship with Toby, who is also "gentle," pushes him to open up, but not until Toby hooks up with Lucy does Sam realize that he "really, really liked the guy." While Sam's self-study is often overly cerebral, it does occasion some silliness ("Or how about sexuality as a Venn diagram?" Sam asks Toby). Readers will appreciate the author's creation of a funny, flawed-if not always likable-protagonist with a realistically complicated sexuality, and the storytelling includes memorable incidents. In one humiliating scene, Sam vomits after being overwhelmed by his first trip to London's gay quarter, and in another more triumphant moment his teammates stand up to their coach for him just before the big game. Unfortunately, other plot points, such as Sam's one-time hook-up with Lucy, or the sudden appearance of his crush-from-afar at his soccer practice, seem random or underdeveloped and ultimately zap the momentum from Sam's story. Ages 12-up. (Feb.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

VOYA

In this debut novel, De Oliveira tackles the difficult subject of a young adult confronting the question of his sexuality. Sam Smith hates his name ("so . . . English."), but that is a small burden compared to the depths of confusion into which he is plunged. At nineteen, after finishing his first year at university, Sam asks if his true self is what he has always thought-regular guy, star soccer player-or is he really someone who likes both boys and girls? Over the summer, Sam struggles to understand and accept himself as bisexual, seeking the approval of old school friends and teammates. Sam acknowledges his dilemma with consideration and humor; many of the most insightful scenes take place on the toilet, where Sam thinks best, and bring the reader closer to him. The authenticity of Sam's voice and readers' sympathy for his difficulty in reaching self-understanding is undercut, however, by the predictability of some scenes, particularly those that take place in the locker room and pub. Sam's first-person narrative is set on the outskirts of contemporary London. And although the overseas setting does not present any great barriers of language or culture, neither does it charmingly capture a parallel subculture, as in Louise Rennison's books. It fills a gap left by novels that deal strictly with homosexuality and could be handpicked to offer questioning teens, especially in a setting where there is open acknowledgement of issues of teen sexuality. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P S (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, PUSH/Scholastic, 239p., pb. Ages 15 to 18.
—Michelle Saunders

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-This is de Oliveira's first novel, and he's a writer to watch. Sam Smith is a young, sexually confused teen living in Surrey, England. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, Brenda and Pod, and is passionate about playing on the local football team. Then he meets self-confident Toby, another gifted player, who happens to be gay. Toby introduces Sam to the contemporary gay scene in London, which includes Soho nightlife. Sam is intrigued and wonders if he might be gay, as well, especially after he notices mysterious and attractive "Him," a young stranger who occasionally shows up at football games. Eventually Sam comes to the realization that "These are the facts. I'm attracted to boys and girls.- I'm just Sam. I was born like this." De Oliveira has a mature, concise writing style and an excellent command of narrative pacing and dialogue. Sam and his friends are believable characters, flawed but likable, and the author's examination of contemporary British youth will probably intrigue American readers. Raw language and British slang (snogging, shagging, poof, cheeky git, etc.) are used liberally throughout, which requires some adjustment at first. Overall, this is a well-written and insightful novel that should appeal to relatively sophisticated young adult readers.-Robert Gray, East Central Regional Library, Cambridge, MN Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.