Eaglebait

by Susan Coryell

Overview

Wardy Sprinks has been a loser for as long as he can remember. Freshman year in high school Wardy becomes the butt of malicious bullying. But, eventually, Wardy's life begins to change. First a charismatic science teacher becomes his mentor. Then, quiet Meg from biology lab seems friendly. And Big Vi takes on a life of her own. Most importantly, Wardy discovers his attitude makes a difference in how others treat him. If Wardy Sprinks doesn't feel like a loser, maybe he won't be one.

Awards:
NY Public Library "Books for the Teenage"
International Reading Association "YA Choice"

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781494246235
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	04/14/2014
Pages:	154
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.33(d)

Editorial Reviews

Overweight, unathletic and friendless, 14-year-old Wardy Spinks is a disappointment to his parents; at school, he is a prime target for taunting remarks and cruel jokes. Only Grandma Lou recognizes Wardy's true potential and encourages him to pursue his interest in science. A dramatic turn of events occurs when Wardy becomes the protege of his charismatic biology teacher. Mr. Guterman builds Wardy's confidence, offers guidance and promises him a bright future. Wardy changes his attitude about life and eventually wins respect. Then Mr. Guterman increases his demands until Wardy feels pressured to devote all his time to science. Consumed by work, more isolated than ever, Wardy begins to question his teacher's motives. Coryell, a teacher herself, reveals some strong opinions about ambition and motivation. Her examination of student-teacher relationships is insightful, yet this first work has its share of awkward moments. Generally, the novel lacks subtlety; teenagers are cast as stereotypes and complicated problems are too quickly and neatly resolved. Ages 12-up. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 6-8-- His name is Wardy Spinks, but he is called ``the Wart'' and picked on unmercifully because he is--for at least a third of this first novel--a total misfit. Wardy is a scientific genius with zero interpersonal skills. He's been given the boot by military school and now he's at his hometown high school in the program for gifted and talented students. A German exchange teacher, Mr. Guterman, turns Wardy around, giving him the confidence and focus that he needs, and soon the misfit and his homemade laser gun are on the way to science notoriety. But the story is more complex than this; with the guidance of his artistic grandmother, Wardy realizes that Guterman is dominating him and, worse, using both Wardy and his mother for personal ends. The message, laid on a bit too heavily, is that people like Grandma Lou, his mother, and a beautiful and brilliant classmate are more important than physics or a moment in the limelight for scientific achievement. Coryell's characters are somewhat overdrawn and it's a little hard to see Wardy transforming himself so tidily and successfully in so few pages. Nonetheless, the pace is good and Eaglebait is a quick, somewhat successful read. --Robert E. Unsworth, Scarsdale Junior High School, NY

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