review 1: This is a beautiful, if prototypical first love, coming-of-age story, but I found the characters so real and so compelling that I've reread the book a number of times.Sprout is a 16-year-old high-school student that finds him under the tutelage of Mrs. Miller, the school's composition teacher, who's major drive in life seems to be turning out State Essay Contest winners. Even though he's not in her class, she's sniffed out Sprout's extraordinary writing ability. Sprout's life spun wildly out of control when, at age 12, his mother died, and Daniel-- Sprout's real name-- was suddenly relocated from Long Island to Hutchinson, Kansas.Nearly insane with grief, Sprout's dad packed everything that would fit into the old Ford Taurus and rental trailer and left everything else behi... morend. How Sprouts dad chose Hutchinson as the place to settle is apparently random, but they end up on a god-forsaken piece of property with a tiny, rotting house trailer outside of town. Everything that didn't fit in the trailer, which is most of their remaining possessions, has been sitting in the front yard ever since.Daniel is immediately a curiosity at school, and not in a good way, so he decides if people are going to stare at him and talk behind his back, he'll give them something to talk about, and dyes his hair green, earning his derisive nickname. On top of all this, Sprout is gay.This is an amazing and touching story of resilience, and it's dark humor doesn't disappoint. Be warned-- there is some bad language and sexual situations involving Sprout and his friends, and although it's really pretty tame and sensitively portrayed, it's definitely not for preteens. If you're a parent, I strongly recommend you read it before you allow your kids. review 2: A NEW AMERICAN CLASSIC! MOVE OVER "CATCHER IN THE RYE"Every once in a long time there comes along a piece of literature that alters your view of the world. I am overjoyed to say that this is one of them. This is a modern day "Catcher in the Rye" in all of its joys and sorrows of discovery of llife. Never have I ever read anything as personal and moving as this. It brought me to a place that was completely unexpected. The main character tells of his journey in the first person, a teen age individualist with all of the wide eyed acceptance of life with its joys and sorrows, but with the wisdom of a much older and wiser person. Daniel, or Sprout as he prefers to be called is a young high school student who dyes his hair green. And although he never completely gives the entire reasoning behind this action, one must wonder if it is just his way of saying "Hey, World, Here I am. I want to tell my story" Sprout has an inspired gift for writing. It is the one thing that he has that makes him so completely special. He has other talents, one being. In the manner in which he observes his world. There is so much he has to say, and he does, completely capturing the reader's heart and mind. Dale Peck's command of the English language is a good part of what makes this book so good.I found a little of myself in Sprout, too. By the way, he's gay. But it does not define who he is. I don't believe that there are words enough to describe him. He speaks to the reader in such a way that I don't think I've encountered since I first read "Catcher in the Rye" and It captured my mind and heart. I laughed and cried and felt true emotion for his circumstances. As a narrator, he weaves his way through an impossible maze of twists and turns in his young life, and always makes you really feel as if you are there with him, by his side, holding his hand, as he speaks directly to your soul.I am reminded of the film by Dore' Schary titled "The Boy With Green Hair". In that film the main character is a boy who is an American war orphan whose hair turns a bright green overnight. The reason is ultimately reveled to him when he finds out that the green hair is a symbol. It is a reminder to all people that one of the cruelties of war is that it makes orphans of the innocent children all over the world who lose parents in needless and heinous conflicts. That analogy is fitting here. Sprout is gay. But he is a human being and therefore needs to be loved and deserves a chance to grow to take his place in the world like everyone else. His hair becomes a reminder to people to be tolerant and accepting of all those who are "different".But this story of Sprout is much, much more than that. It is the most intimate story of a young man's coming to find himself and his place in the world. The way that the author uses the language of youth is one of the most compelling examples of writing that I have come across. Sprout never sees himself as a victim. Life is what it is. He creates a world for himself when he needs it most. He is a character that will remain in your heart and soul long after you finish reading this wonderful gem of a novel. This book is deserving of publicity in order that it may be read by people of all ages. IT IS A STORY THAT NEEDS A LARGE AUDIENCE SO THAT IT MAY BE FULLY APPRECIATED FOR WHAT IT IS. A GENUINE AMERICAN CLASSIC THAT WILL REMAIN RELEVANT AND IMPORTANT LITERATURE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THIS IS A 10 STAR RATING IF THERE EVER WAS ONE. MOVE OVER J. D. SALINGER!FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE AUTHOR MAKES ME THINK HIE DOES NOT KNOW HOW GOOD THIS BOOK IS. less
