The Only Outcast

Rating:
Summary: A series of emotional adventures and personal trials
Review: A finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award and the Ruth Schwartz Children's Literature Award, The Only Outcast by playwright and novelist Julie Johnson is a compelling and entertaining novel for adolescent readers ages 11 through 18, and set at a lake front at the turn of the century. Fred is young man who is expected to "build his character" in a series of emotional adventures and personal trials in this most satisfying tale of growing up and coming of age. Highly recommended for school and community library historical fiction collections, Julie Johnston drew upon the actual diary of the real Fred Dickson to aptly recreate an memorable story of yesteryear in The Only Outcast.

Rating:
Summary: Julie Johnston Does it Again!
Review: Julie's books are always incredible and this one does not disappoint. It is a very sweet and well-told story. The main character, Fred, is a smart boy who is often underestimated because of his stutter. He's quite likeable, and the juxtaposition of his diary with what Julie Lawson "read between the lines" is often humourous. This could well be Fred's last year to spend the summer at the family cottage before he must "grow up," and this is a perfect look at a boy who wants to have the same fun as his younger relatives, but also to move forward and think about his future. "The Only Outcast" is much like the summer it is set in -- a sweet adventure that you would like to have forever, but then, far too soon, it is all over.

Rating:
Summary: Julie Johnston Does it Again!
Review: Julie's books are always incredible and this one does not disappoint. It is a very sweet and well-told story. The main character, Fred, is a smart boy who is often underestimated because of his stutter. He's quite likeable, and the juxtaposition of his diary with what Julie Lawson "read between the lines" is often humourous. This could well be Fred's last year to spend the summer at the family cottage before he must "grow up," and this is a perfect look at a boy who wants to have the same fun as his younger relatives, but also to move forward and think about his future. "The Only Outcast" is much like the summer it is set in -- a sweet adventure that you would like to have forever, but then, far too soon, it is all over.