Overview
Toby Malone adores his older brother, Jake. He's the cool one, the MVP of the baseball team, the one who can charm their mother into anything. Even Mrs. Furry, the dignified family cat, puts up with Jake, clowning around. Toby, Jake, and their little brother, Eli have always had an easy, joking relationship, where it's the three of them against the world.But ever since Toby's father left, things are off balance. His mother seems deflated. Eli has gone back to sucking his thumb. And Jake is becoming distant and secretive. As Toby struggles to keep his family together, Jake drifts further and further away. Only Toby knows why: Jake's slipping into drug use, the way their father slipped into alcohol before he disappeared. To spare his mother yet another disappointment, Toby tries to cover up for Jake. But his efforts backfire, only adding to the growing tension between the two brothers -- until finally Jake goes too far.
With great compassion and wry humor, Patricia McCormick explores the anguish of living with divided loyalties and the cost of keeping family secrets.
Synopsis
Toby Malone looks up to his brother Jake. Everyone does. He is the cool one, the one who is good at baseball. Even Mr. Furry, the unfortunately named family cat, seems to prefer him to everyone else. Toby and Jake and their little brother have always had an easy, jostling friendship, in which it is them against the rest of the world. But ever since Toby's father left, things have been off balance. Toby's mother seems deflated and resigned. And his little brother is exhibiting odd signs of stress. Toby struggles to keep his family together even as things are falling apart. Despite his efforts, though, Jake is drifting farther and farther away, and Toby knows it is because he is becoming increasingly dependent on drugs. Toby tries to cover up for Jake, to spare his mother yet another disappointment. But his attempts to protect Jake and his mother backfire, only adding to the growing tension between the brothers+until Jake finally goes much too far. With great warmth and wry humor, Patricia McCormick draws a portrait of a typical family that is struggling to reconnect after a crisis.
The New York Times - Lois Metzger
One of the best things in the book is the way McCormick captures Toby's isolation, sadness, desperation.
Editorials
Lois Metzger
One of the best things in the book is the way McCormick captures Toby's isolation, sadness, desperation.— The New York Times
Publishers Weekly
PW said that this story of a 13-year-old who silently watches his older brother become involved with drugs "invites reflective thought and meaningful discussion." Ages 10-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
Ever since his dad walked out, Toby has felt that there are few things in life that he can count on, and they all seem to be related to baseball. There is Mr. D, the proprietor of the baseball card shop where Toby likes to hang out. There is the good feeling he gets from playing baseball well. And there is the enjoyment he gets out of looking at his baseball card collection, especially the mint-condition 1962 Willie Stargell rookie card. The newest addition to his collection, it is also the greatest. When he feels like things are slipping out of control, Toby knows he can look at the card and feel better. Lately, he has been having that "things-are-out-of-control" feeling a lot. His mom has started dating again. His younger brother, Eli, has started requiring lots of reassurance. Worst of all, his older brother, Jake, has started smoking pot and popping pills. Toby does not know what to do, but he does not want to add to his mother's worry. Instead, he decides to cover up for Jake and hope for the best. What ends up happening is far from the best. McCormick realistically portrays the tension of a disconnected family in crisis. Toby is a likeable character, and readers are sure to be rooting for him from the first page to the last. 2005, Hyperion, Ages 12 to 18.—Heidi Hauser Green