Book talk:
Have you ever had a feeling of relief when you hear about something bad that has happened to someone, that feeling of relief that this bad thing didn't happen to you or to someone you love? Then you feel kind of guilty because something bad has happened to someone else, but you rationalize that none of the bad things that happened were your fault so you shouldn't feel guilty?
Charley has felt all this in a big way. When he moved from Ireland to Canada, it was hard enough being the new kid with the Irish accent. And not long after the move, his mom got sick again; only this time she didn't get better. And then at school there were these thugs in his eighth grade class that loved to point out he wasn't quite fitting in. So, yeah, it was a relief when these bullies turned their tormenting on Bennie. And they were brutal, calling Bennie a fag, doing horrible things just under the teachers' radar. But, you know, it made Charley kind of mad at Bennie for not sticking up for himself. And when Bennie tried to be friends with Charley, well, you know how it is. Would you want to risk having those jerks turn on you for being friends with their favorite target? But then the unthinkable happened. Benny committed suicide. And Charley feels unbearable guilt. He could have done something. He could have been friends with Bennie. He could have stood up for Bennie. No, he SHOULD have stood up for Bennie. How will Charley ever be able to live with himself while he lives without his mother? ( )

Charley, a student who has just moved to Vancouver from Ireland, has trouble with some bullies. When a new boy, Mason Gerard, arrives, he becomes the new target.