Surface Tension by Brent Runyon

Surface Tension

by Brent Runyon amused me on different levels.
As a teacher, it was very funny to read about this kid who progresses over several summers...to watch his voice change from loving child to disaffected youth. I am not sure that students would find it as hilarious, as they might still be in the midst of "the change", which is why it helps that the story is also interesting. As a former teenager, I completely remember exactly how this story went for myself.

Now, this isn't a face paced novel that is going to blow your socks off. It's a meandering tale that begins in the 13th summer of Luke's life. Every summer Luke's family packs up and journeys to their lake cottage. They spend about two weeks there, take in a local baseball game, soak up the sun, have cookouts with the neighbors.

The plot description below contains some spoilers, so if you're planning on giving Surface Tension a read, you should pause here until you finish it... :)

In his 13th summer, Luke loves being with his parents. He loves being at the lake and taking it all in.
At 14, Luke's parents are idiots and he can hardly stand to be around them. He is slightly interested in some girls that also visit their summer cottages, but largely, he is just disgusted with life in general. They do have a new neighbor who flies a Confederate flag, which has everyone up in arms. The neighbor is a minister and is kind of a jerk.
At 15, Luke brings his BF down to the lake. All of the things that Luke loves about the lake, his friend doesn't "get", so Luke begins to regret bringing his friend down. They do manage to get into some trouble, the minister is still the catalyst to most issues.
At 16, Luke doesn't want to be at the lake at all. He misses his girlfriend. Time is moving slowly. The issues with the minister have escalated. But that summer, Luke saves a little girl from a house fire and he really comes into himself.

All in all, the book had a story of it's own to tell.
Seeing Luke transition over four summers is a unique way to tell a tale, and I think Runyon did a great job of capturing the truth of those years where you don't know who you are and then you start your own personal evolution.
In that way, kids will connect with Luke.

Click here to read an excerpt!!