Kind of weird of the author to create a story that has a book hw wrote centered around the story. Eddie though was quite the character and Billy's perspective was quite interesting. It's always fascinating to how other people see life and death. This one made me think.

(Longer review to come) ( )

Ironically, I picked up this book to read during Banned Book Week. The reason was; I was going to a Chris Crutcher lecture at ASU and had not read one of his books in a few years. The Sledding Hill is about a controversial, while ficticious book entitled "Warren Peece." A teacher at the local high school in small town Idaho, chooses this Chris Crutcher book for her class to read even though she knows it might be controversial. She sends permission letters home to be signed and offers another title if the student or parent objects to the book. No one opts out and all permission slips come in signed. When parents and the local preacher who is also a teacher, realizes the controversial content of the book, all hell breaks loose and a full fledged book banning is on. Parents, the religious right, and YFC, (Youth for Christ) are all in a vicious and bitter campaign to create an "appropriate" curriculum at the high school.

Chris himself gets involved when he shows up at the town meeting.

The book was interesting and thought provoking although I felt he was a little hard on the church.
One kind of interesting quirk of the book is the main character's best friend has tragically died, but he has a very strong voice in the book even after his demise.

Another point that I felt important was when the main character, Eddie said about all the sides involved. He ways there are no bad guys here as they are all following what they thought was best for all in their heart.

You will enjoy this book from cover to cover.


( )

Billy Bartholomew dies when sheetrock falls on him but his spirit remains around to guide his best friend Eddie Profitt who is doubly devastated by the death of his father. Eddie becomes mute after Billy's death. Mrs. Proffit and the church minister Tarter lean on Eddie to become more active in the church. This coincides with a book challenge (of a fictional Chris Crutcher title, no less) at school. Eddie doesn't agree with the challenge and he's indifferent about joining the church, but Billy helps him see that it's useful to get to know the opposition's side before taking a stand against the challenge.

Eddie and Billie are best friends and nothing is going to stop them from being best friends, not even a little old thing like Billie kicking the bucket, especially when that stupid accidental death thing follows just a few months after Eddie's dad's stupid auto shop accident results in his dad being dead. It really does just takes a moment of not paying attention to get yourself killed.

Doesn't that sound like the opening to a terrific book? Sadly I felt as it went in another direction and never really touched as much as it could have on loss, the anger someone feels at the person who died, the grieving process or the loss of trust maybe even the loss of faith. Instead I felt Crutcher made this story more about himself with a sprinkling of other characters. Thankfully, I read this before I read 'Staying Fat for Sarah Byrne's' because otherwise would have been very disappointing. I'm left wondering and still not sure: is this book intentionally being ironic? ( )

Eddie and Billie are best friends and nothing is going to stop them from being best friends, not even a little old thing like Billie kicking the bucket, especially when that stupid accidental death thing follows just a few months after Eddie's dad's stupid auto shop accident results in his dad being dead. It really does just takes a moment of not paying attention to get yourself killed.

Doesn't that sound like the opening to a terrific book? Sadly I felt as it went in another direction and never really touched as much as it could have on loss, the anger someone feels at the person who died, the grieving process or the loss of trust maybe even the loss of faith. Instead I felt Crutcher made this story more about himself with a sprinkling of other characters. Thankfully, I read this before I read 'Staying Fat for Sarah Byrne's' because otherwise would have been very disappointing. I'm left wondering and still not sure: is this book intentionally being ironic? ( )