Description:
Squeal. Snitch. Rat. Whatever you call it, teens have always regarded the betrayal of peers--by giving incriminating information to the authorities--as the ultimate moral crime. Even dedicated nonconformists like cynical Ellis, sharp and witty Jack, brilliant Carrie, and wannabe Teresa are shocked when Bruce, the trusted fifth member of their outsider posse, answers a teacher's questions about the day the other four shared a bottle of Jack Daniel's in a schoolroom where they had been left alone on their honor. Bruce is appalled when his friends are suspended from school and banned from graduating. They blame him for the harsh punishment they receive--and eventually, so does the whole student body. He is ostracized and left alone to ponder his crime. But while Bruce regrets what happened because of his actions, he can't apologize. For him, truth is the only way there is. True to his uncomfortable nickname--Saint Bruce--he is moral simply because it's his nature. "Why?" his friends keep asking. But how much are they to blame? Should Bruce have lied to win their approval? And shouldn't the teacher who protected her job by betraying Bruce's confidence bear some of the guilt? Wisely, Tres Seymour brings this short and intense story to a satisfying conclusion, but leaves the ethical dilemma unresolved. Teens will be fascinated with the novel's delicate and intricate examination of a moral issue that has real meaning for them, and savvy parents and teachers will find it an open door to some provocative discussion. (Ages 12 and older) --Patty Campbell
| 
