This gut wrenching story is about a teenage boy, Stark McClellan, who's called Stick because tall and stick thin. He gets bullied a lot because he thinks he's deformed since he was born with one ear, but his older brother brother Bosten is there to defend Stick when he gets picked on. Unfortunately, the brothers can't defend each other when it comes to their abusive parents and their punishments. Though no matter what happens with their parents both Stick and Bosten continue to live everyday to the fullest. Along with living to the fullest, Stick is starting to notice that he is interested in girls and being with a girl, but he's socially awkward when it comes to talking with girls. Thankfully his friend Emily is there to help him out with some of the awkwardness which leads Stick to loving her more and more. Of course, Stick isn't the only one who seems to be in a relationship but Bosten is in love with his best friend Paul, and when his dad learns about this relationship he beats Bosten badly. The next day, Bosten is gone and Stick must decides to journey all the way to California to find his brother.
Stick is written so well and the characters feel so real. Some might consider this book to be realistic fiction because it could have possibly have taken place. It made me really hate Stick's parents for their harsh treatment of their boys and the fact that the father could have sexually harmed Bosten really made me feel sick with rage. I can not imagine what some kids who have lived in this situation have gone through, and perhaps young teenagers may like this book due to the content. Of course, I would be prepared with tissue in case you tear up a little.
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