Paper Covers Rock

Hubbard, Jenny. Paper Covers Rock. Delacorte Books for Young Readers (2011). ISBN 978-0-3857-4055-5

Plot Summary

                The book starts with Alex facing the fact that he couldn’t save his friend, Thomas, from drowning.  He and his other friend Glenn were both there when Thomas died but neither could get to him in time to save him.  Or so Alex thought.  Alex starts to get suspicious of Glenn when he begins acting weird and wanting to take out their English teacher, Miss Dovecott, whom the thinks knows more than she should.  Miss Dovecott came upon the boys just after Thomas drowned, which normally wouldn’t be a problem – if nothing funny was going on. 

                Alex tells his story in a journal that he hides in the library.  The more Alex begins to find out about that day, the more he thinks Thomas’ death may not have been an accident.  Glenn his hiding a secret that Thomas knew and Glenn may have seen an opportunity and taken it.  Alex writes poetry in his journal, and for class, that informs what’s happening in his real life. 

Critical Evaluation

                This book really reminded me of A Separate Peace.  While Paper Covers Rock has its differences, the main theme of a friend having an accident and trying to figure out if it was an accident or not is shared by both.  The poetry is especially good in this book, and really adds an element to this story.  The obvious objectification of Miss Dovecott is slightly offensive, as if every boy in the school imagines her as a sex object before a teacher. 

                It is hard to really connect with Alex as a person.  He seems a little too detached from what is actually happening around him.  He hides out in the library instead of facing what is going on.  He lets Glenn push him around instead of just telling him to drop it.  But this story is still worth a read.  The writing is basically good and, even with its flaws, the story does have a way of capturing the reader.

Reader’s Annotation

Alex has to figure out the truth of what happened when his friend drowned, whether or not Glenn wants him to. 

Author’s Information

Jenny was a high school and college English teacher for 17 years before she started writing.  She not only writes YA fiction but plays, too.  Her short biography and an interview can be found here: http://papercoversrock.co/?page_id=2.

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Book Talking Ideas

The blatant mystery that this book presents is intriguing for anyone.  A boy drowns while his friends try to save him.  But that’s not all that was going on – not by a long shot.  A forbidden attraction between a student and a, rather young, teacher and a boy with a secret make this book an amazingly thrilling book to read.

Reading Level/Interest

14/14

Challenge Issues

This book features teen drinking and some gay themes.  These aren’t very prevalent so not many challenges are expected. 

Why Include This Title?

This is a book that will definitely appeal to both girls and boys but especially boys.  My list is a little heavy on the teen girl interest, so I felt it important to include this title.