Ryan Dean West is back to his boarding school antics in this bitingly funny sequel to Winger , which Publishers Weekly called “alternately hilarious and painful, awkward and enlightening” ( Publishers Weekly , starred review).
It’s his last year at Pine Mountain, and Ryan Dean should be focused on his future, but instead, he’s haunted by his past. His rugby coach expects him to fill the roles once played by his lost friend, Joey, as the rugby team’s stand-off and new captain. And somehow he’s stuck rooming with twelve-year-old freshman Sam Abernathy, a cooking whiz with extreme claustrophobia and a serious crush on Annie Altman—aka Ryan Dean’s girlfriend, for now, anyway.
Equally distressing, Ryan Dean’s doodles and drawings don’t offer the relief they used to. He’s convinced N.A.T.E. (the Next Accidental Terrible Experience) is lurking around every corner—and then he runs into Joey’s younger brother Nico, who makes Ryan Dean feel paranoid that he’s avoiding him. Will Ryan Dean ever regain his sanity?
From the author of the National Book Award–nominated 100 Sideways Miles , which Kirkus Reviews called “a wickedly witty and offbeat novel,” Stand-Off is filled with hand-drawn infographics and illustrations and delivers the same spot-on teen voice and relatable narrative that legions of readers connected with in Winger.
**
From School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up—In this sequel to Winger (S. & S., 2013), Ryan Dean West's senior year at Pine Mountain Academy is off to a rough start. Still grieving over friend Joey's death, he's saddled with Sam, a 12-year-old freshman roommate he dismisses as a "larva in soccer pajamas." Adding to the pressure, his rugby coach wants him to take Joey's position on the field and as team captain. Resulting panic attacks and visions of a Grim Reaper-esque guy he names Nate (Next Acciden+al Terrible Experience) make Ryan Dean aware he needs help, but he can't bring himself to ask for it. Hot girlfriend Annie offers sex and parental-sounding advice, but two male relationships finally help Ryan Dean open his heart again. Sam is able to see the pain behind Ryan Dean's facade due to his own past trauma. Bound by their mutual grief, Joey's brother Nico and Ryan Dean begin a fragile friendship. The novel's heavy issues are tempered by Ryan Dean's wickedly funny ruminations and good-natured male crudeness. An ingeniously conceived subplot provides teens with a practical lesson on sexual consent. Readers are left with the reassurance that no one can be expected to handle their problems alone. VERDICT The novel succeeds not only as an emotionally satisfying sequel but as a hopeful, honest account of coping with a devastating loss.—Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY
Review
"A brave, wickedly funny novel about grief and finding a way to live with it, with sweetly realistic first sexual experiences." ( Kirkus Reviews, starred review* )
"Ryan Dean’s voice remains engaging, honest, and idiosyncratic (a page-long internal monologue follows his discovery of two teammates in a compromising situation). Smith capably expands on Ryan Dean’s coming-of-age and path to emotional recovery, chronicled through his crude comics and growing maturity." ( Publishers Weekly, starred review* )
"Smith has created a consistently interesting character whose singular sense of humor grows on readers. Plus, he nails the rough-and-tumble sport of rugby. This sequel won’t disappoint fans." ( Booklist )
"The novel succeeds not only as an emotionally satisfying sequel but as a hopeful, honest account of coping with a devastating loss." ( School Library Journal, starred review* )
Description:
Ryan Dean West is back to his boarding school antics in this bitingly funny sequel to Winger , which Publishers Weekly called “alternately hilarious and painful, awkward and enlightening” ( Publishers Weekly , starred review).
It’s his last year at Pine Mountain, and Ryan Dean should be focused on his future, but instead, he’s haunted by his past. His rugby coach expects him to fill the roles once played by his lost friend, Joey, as the rugby team’s stand-off and new captain. And somehow he’s stuck rooming with twelve-year-old freshman Sam Abernathy, a cooking whiz with extreme claustrophobia and a serious crush on Annie Altman—aka Ryan Dean’s girlfriend, for now, anyway.
Equally distressing, Ryan Dean’s doodles and drawings don’t offer the relief they used to. He’s convinced N.A.T.E. (the Next Accidental Terrible Experience) is lurking around every corner—and then he runs into Joey’s younger brother Nico, who makes Ryan Dean feel paranoid that he’s avoiding him. Will Ryan Dean ever regain his sanity?
From the author of the National Book Award–nominated 100 Sideways Miles , which Kirkus Reviews called “a wickedly witty and offbeat novel,” Stand-Off is filled with hand-drawn infographics and illustrations and delivers the same spot-on teen voice and relatable narrative that legions of readers connected with in Winger.
**
From School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up—In this sequel to Winger (S. & S., 2013), Ryan Dean West's senior year at Pine Mountain Academy is off to a rough start. Still grieving over friend Joey's death, he's saddled with Sam, a 12-year-old freshman roommate he dismisses as a "larva in soccer pajamas." Adding to the pressure, his rugby coach wants him to take Joey's position on the field and as team captain. Resulting panic attacks and visions of a Grim Reaper-esque guy he names Nate (Next Acciden+al Terrible Experience) make Ryan Dean aware he needs help, but he can't bring himself to ask for it. Hot girlfriend Annie offers sex and parental-sounding advice, but two male relationships finally help Ryan Dean open his heart again. Sam is able to see the pain behind Ryan Dean's facade due to his own past trauma. Bound by their mutual grief, Joey's brother Nico and Ryan Dean begin a fragile friendship. The novel's heavy issues are tempered by Ryan Dean's wickedly funny ruminations and good-natured male crudeness. An ingeniously conceived subplot provides teens with a practical lesson on sexual consent. Readers are left with the reassurance that no one can be expected to handle their problems alone. VERDICT The novel succeeds not only as an emotionally satisfying sequel but as a hopeful, honest account of coping with a devastating loss.—Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY
Review
"A brave, wickedly funny novel about grief and finding a way to live with it, with sweetly realistic first sexual experiences." ( Kirkus Reviews, starred review* )
"Ryan Dean’s voice remains engaging, honest, and idiosyncratic (a page-long internal monologue follows his discovery of two teammates in a compromising situation). Smith capably expands on Ryan Dean’s coming-of-age and path to emotional recovery, chronicled through his crude comics and growing maturity." ( Publishers Weekly, starred review* )
"Smith has created a consistently interesting character whose singular sense of humor grows on readers. Plus, he nails the rough-and-tumble sport of rugby. This sequel won’t disappoint fans." ( Booklist )
"The novel succeeds not only as an emotionally satisfying sequel but as a hopeful, honest account of coping with a devastating loss." ( School Library Journal, starred review* )