Big Guy
by Robin Stevenson

    BIG GUY by Robin Stevenson
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  3/2008
    Publisher:  Orca Books
    Reviewed by:  Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
    Rating:  4 Stars


    Derek is seventeen.  He has dropped out of school and is working in a nursing home.  He lives alone with his
    less-than-supportive father who looks down on everything in Derek's life.  Derek can't even imagine what his father
    would do if he knew the truth - Derek is gay.

    Recently, Derek has been exchanging emails with Ethan.  They have established a real friendship over the Internet.  In
    fact, the friendship has blossomed into much more, at least for Derek.  There's a problem, though.  Derek sent Ethan a
    picture that doesn't really resemble the Derek of today.  It was taken some time ago before Derek's mother left to join
    a cult.  He has put on some extra weight since the picture was taken, and now Ethan has just broken the news that he
    wants to meet in person.

    Should he tell the truth or break things off?

    This sounds like a fairly shallow storyline, but much more is revealed about Derek's struggle to accept his unforgiving
    father, his absent mother, and himself.  BIG GUY is a fast read that should appeal to any reader looking for a story of
    self-acceptance and the determination to carry on.