Teen Fiction

Three Clams and an Oyster

Name: Three Clams and an Oyster
Author: Randy Powell
ISBN: 9780374400071

by Randy Powell

Write a review

Overview

A four-man flag-football team in need of an Oyster.

Sixteen-year-old Flint McCallister is the captain of a four-man flag-football team called Three Clams and an Oyster. Flint and the other two Clams, Beaterson and Deshutsis, are going to give this season all they’ve got, but, as usual, they’re having Oyster problems. The first Oyster on the team died a couple of years ago. The current one, Cade Savage, is partying too hard and is unreliable. Flint and the Clams are faced with a dilemma: should they stick with their old friend Cade or dump him and go with a new Oyster? And if they dump Cade, who will they get to replace him? Tim Goon, the unknown quantity with the roadkill hairdo? Thor, the nice-guy stoner? Or the girl, Summerfield, who pushes them out of their comfort zone and doesn’t shave her legs?

In searching for an Oyster, Flint and his buddies are forced to reexamine their hallowed traditions and old habits – and to take a hard look at who they are and where they’re going.

During their humorous search to find a fourth player for their flag football team, three high school juniors are forced to examine their long friendship, their individual flaws, and their inability to try new experiences.

Synopsis

"The odd title refers to a four-man flag football team, comprised of high school chums stuggling with growing pains and with a team history as odd as its name . . . The plot and writing are top-notch, as usual for this author." --VOYA

Publishers Weekly

Although this witty and trenchant story revolves around a flag football team, there are few scenes played on the field. As in many of Powell's previous novels (Tribute to Another Dead Rock Star; The Whistling Toilets), most of the action takes place inside the main character's head, over the course of a single weekend. Flint McCallister, captain of the four-man team called Three Clams and an Oyster, faces a dilemma: he has to find a replacement for the "Oyster," irresponsible Cade Savage, who fails to show up for the first game. But none of the candidates seem suitable to fill Cade's sneakers. There's Goon, whose anatomical quirks, silk shirt with puffy sleeves and dance moves lead Flint to describe him as Wayne Newton with breasts. Then there's Thor, the womanizer. Rachel Summerfield appears to be a much better prospect, but having a girl on the team especially one who doesn't shave her legs might be more than the Clams can handle. Flint's search for a fourth teammate evolves into a journey of discovery as he reflects upon his team's past and future and mulls over his relationships with the other players. The tone of the intimate first-person narrative skillfully shifts from philosophical to comical to poignant, allowing readers to experience the gradual opening up of Flint's clam-shell world as he lets go of the familiar and welcomes new possibilities. Ages 12-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

About the Author, Randy Powell

RANDY POWELL is the author of many books for young adults, including Dean Duffy and Tribute to Another Dead Rock Star, both ALA Best Books for Young Adults. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Children's Literature

Flint, Deshutsis, and Beaterson are three sixteen-year-olds searching to replace an undependable teammate on their four-on-four flag-football team. The primary candidates are either inept, drugged, or female. It seems there's no such thing as a perfect fit. Though little occurs in the way of plot, readers will love hanging out with these guys. Their snappy dialogue and realistic camaraderie is so natural you'll feel as if you're with them—cruising, bowling, meeting girls, and cleaning up bad party scenes. Although the story centers on flag-football, only a few scenes depict the sport. The real action involves three friends goofing off, arguing, and running away from everything new and different that comes their way. The result is a funny and always engaging story about preserving friendship, accepting change, and solving sticky dilemmas. Do they take the best athlete—a self-assured girl who doesn't shave her legs—or do they give their messed-up buddy, Cade Savage, another chance? Expect unexpected twists, realistic answers, pitch-perfect voice, and first-rate entertainment. 2002, Farrar Straus & Giroux,
— Betty Hicks

VOYA

The odd title refers to a four-man flag football team, comprised of high school chums struggling with growing pains and with a team history as odd as its name. The original center, the oyster who coined the team name, was killed in a freak accident that was partly the fault of Cade, who ironically became his replacement. Cade deals with his guilt by going progressively deeper and deeper into the drug and party scene. Flint, the team captain and rational narrator, realizes that it is time for a replacement when Cade starts missing practices, but he remains on the fence, being the compassionate type. The other two teammates are oddballs—one a hothead and the other comic relief. The weekend search for a new center is a light-hearted mini-road trip as they scour their Seattle hangouts. They try out the school's popular ladies' man, give a somewhat effeminate friend a chance, confront Cade, and meet the best candidate, an aggressive girl who threatens to upset the guy essence of their team. Will Cade get yet another chance? As the friends hash out their decision during bowling, restaurant, and party excursions, readers peek into their psyches, learn about their backgrounds, and watch some festering emotional wounds surface. The plot and writing are top notch, as usual for this author, although the dialogue seems a bit stilted in places and is perhaps too sanitized for a group of sixteen-year-old boys. Nevertheless readers will care about them and will be pleasantly surprised with the unexpected ending. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2002, FarrarStraus Giroux, 224p,
— Kevin Beach

From The Critics

High school juniors Flint, Beaterson, Deshutsis, and Cade have been best friends since grade school. They have grown into a life of familiarity and routine, one without risks and trying new things. Yet, as they enter another season of four-on-four football, they encounter something new: they are repeatedly let down by their fourth member, Cade, who would rather party than practice. In order to move forward in their flag football success, this team of friends is forced to make a decision between staying in their comfort zone of old friends, and opening a door to someone new. Should they go with guys who are talented that they do not like, or should they pick someone who is natural athlete, but who happens to be a girl? Eventually, they decide on the girl and with this, they learn to test the mettle of their true convictions. On their road to coping with the challenges of their friendship, they discover the power that their friendship truly has. With a keen sense of style and use of realistic young adult language, Three Clams and an Oyster is a glimpse into the life of a group of long-time young friends who are faced with realizing that change is inevitable. And on their road to coping with the challenges of their friendship, they discover the power that their friendship truly has. 2001, Farrar Straus & Giroux, 216 pp.,
— Kelly Strecker

KLIATT

Flint, age 16, is the captain of a four-person Seattle flag-football team called Three Clams and an Oyster. He and his long-time friends Beaterson and Deshutsis are the three Clams; the first Oyster died in an accident some years back. Cade, who blames himself for that accident, has filled the position since then, but he's increasingly undependable, into drinking, drugs, and self-destructive behavior. Clearly, the team needs a new Oyster, but how can they abandon Cade? And who can replace him? Arguing all the way, the three Clams explore their options. They try out Thor, a flaky, hard-drinking athlete, and Tim, a uncoordinated new boy in town, before finally taking on Rachel, a talented player whose assertiveness frightens the wits out of them. Change is difficult for Flint and his friends, but they come to realize that it's overdue and that moving on has its good points too. This is more a character exploration and coming-of-age tale than a sports saga, but Flint's narration and the wonderfully witty and realistic dialogue between him and his friends make it an especially engaging read. Powell, the author of Dean Duffy, The Whistling Toilets, Tribute to Another Dead Rock Star, and Run If You Dare, excels at portraying teenage boys and their relationships in a humorous, insightful style. Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: JS—Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2001, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 224p., $16.00. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick; KLIATT SOURCE: KLIATT, March 2002 (Vol. 36, No. 2)

KLIATT - Paula Rohrlick

To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, March 2002: Flint, age 16, is the captain of a four-person Seattle flag-football team called Three Clams and an Oyster. He and his longtime friends Beaterson and Deshutsis are the three Clams; the first Oyster died in an accident some years back. Cade, who blames himself for that accident, has filled the position since then, but he's increasingly undependable, into drinking, drugs, and self-destructive behavior. Clearly, the team needs a new Oyster, but how can they abandon Cade? And who can replace him? Arguing all the way, the three Clams explore their options. They try out Thor, a flaky, hard-drinking athlete, and Tim, a uncoordinated new boy in town, before finally taking on Rachel, a talented player whose assertiveness frightens the wits out of them. Change is difficult for Flint and his friends, but they come to realize that it's overdue and that moving on has its good points too. This is more a character exploration and coming-of-age tale than a sports saga, but Flint's narration and the wonderfully witty and realistic dialogue between him and his friends make it an especially engaging read. Powell, the author of Dean Duffy, The Whistling Toilets, Tribute to Another Dead Rock Star, and Run If You Dare, excels at portraying teenage boys and their relationships in a humorous, insightful style. (An ALA Best Book for YAs.)

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-With characteristic candor and insight, Powell reveals the contradictions and conflicts in the adolescent male psyche. Flint McCallister, 16, is the captain of Three Clams and an Oyster, a four-man flag-football team in Seattle. The Clams are unhappy with unreliable, party-loving Cade Savage, who has filled the Oyster spot since the accidental death of another teammate two years earlier. Hanging out together, the three teens wrestle with their personal biases and perspectives on dumping Cade and on recruiting a well-coordinated but distracted ladies' man; a hopeful but inept newcomer; or a self-confident, athletic female. Their animated, argumentative conversations expose both their individual and gender hang-ups and their mutual commitment to creating a winning team. When, at last, Flint steps forward as captain to confront Cade and accept Rachel Summerfield as the new Oyster, the Clams are united in friendship and competitive desire. Athletically, Flint and his teammates pride themselves on the skills they've acquired after seven years of playing together; socially, they are assertive but reflective. With lively dialogue, adolescent angst, teasing, and camaraderie, the Clams chide one another into defining values, appreciating differences, and recognizing commitment. Rachel challenges the predetermined role of each team player, and the boys realize that they must adapt to succeed. This low-key story focuses on character more than plot and presents an entertaining expos of adolescent male friendships, attitudes, and maturation.-Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Three eleventh-graders grapple with the challenge of expanding beyond their small social circle as they spend a weekend seeking a fourth member for their flag-football team in this mildly entertaining novel. Narrator Flint has been best friends with Rick Beaterson and Dwight Deshutsis since first grade, and flag-football teammates since fifth. On their team, Three Clams and an Oyster, they are the clams, and the Oyster, who hikes, has been Cade Savage, ever since the team's founder died in an accident. When Cade, who is increasingly into drink and drugs, blows off their first practice and pre-season game, the three friends set up tryouts with three possible players, including a girl. The dialogue, which mostly takes place as they drive around the Seattle area, rings of authenticity, including lots of humor but also insults based on being like a female, occasional gay slurs, and disgusted shock when the girl player has unshaven legs. The main theme, conveyed without subtlety, concerns whether they are too set in their ways and if they should be more open to new friends and experiences. While they clash credibly with each other, they are basically good-hearted, loyal, and likable, so readers may well enjoy going along for the ride. In the end, though, the story and its concerns are slight, not as engaging as Powell's Run If You Dare (2001), which offers more substantial character development and depth. (Fiction. YA)