Twerp

Twerp

I'm sure somewhere between freshman year and graduation you
found Catcher in the Rye on your high school English syllabus. You
remember that stream of conscience coming of age novel? Julian,
protagonist of Mark Goldblatt's Twerp follows nicely in that literary
tradition.
Julian (12) has been suspended from school for his part in
something that happened over winter break. His teacher has asked him
to write something about it in a journal format. He doubts the
implied premise that it will help him understand the incident. But,
hey, if it will get out of a Shakespeare paper...
Julian turns out to be a pretty good writer. His description of
the events in his life and his reaction to them make them really come
alive. He tries to save the pigeon he and best friend, Lonnie, injure
and cries when his efforts are in vain. He becomes involved in an
elaborate deception when he and the gang set off fireworks (this is
1960s New York) and one boy suffers the consequences. He finds the
dawning of romance pretty darn confusing.
But the incident is in the background simmering. From time to
time it's alluded to. You know darn well it will come out in the end...
...and it will be well worth reading for. :)
On a personal note, we had to take Joey Cat to the vet. He had to
have so much fur shaved he looks sort of like a poodle. He's super
allergic to fleas which means they're worse for him than the average
feline. So I am on this heavy duty cleaning/flea killing mission,
giving a new meaning to the term due dilligence. The silver lining is
that, in addition to getting things better for Joey, I'm going to get
the trailer nice enough to have friends over which I haven't been able
to do in ages.
A great big shout goes out to the folks at Veazie Vetinary Clinic.
Joey is in good hands with them.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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