Ten Mile River
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A forgotten corner of New York City holds a secret haven for two boys who have escaped the hardships of their past.
“Griffin has a particular gift for dialogue that not only sounds authentic but also serves to define characters whom he knows inside and out. His is clearly a talent to watch.”—Booklist
“A striking debut.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
Friends to the end?
They survived juvenile detention and foster care together . . . and there’s no way Ray and Jose are going back into the system. Now they’ve ditched school for good, and are hiding out in an abandoned station house in New York City’s Ten Mile River Park. And nothing, not even their love for the beautiful Trini, can rock the boys’ friendship. But while Ray dreams of a clean reputation and a bright future, Jose can’t seem to escape trouble. Will Ray’s determination be enough to break him free of his old life?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Griffin makes a striking debut with this gritty, dialogue-heavy novel about two homeless boys. Ray and Jos , 14 and 15, have survived foster care and juvenile detention together, and now hide out from their parole officers in a burned-out stationhouse in New York City's Ten Mile River park. They make their way by stealing, working occasionally, and trying to stay under police radar. Ray is bigger and smarter (he reads anything he can, and especially likes physics), but Jos , "a proven matador," is boss. They are "friends to the end" until Ray meets and falls for the beautiful Trini, who encourages both boys to go straight, like her. But Ray's view of himself and his understanding of loyalty also leads him to set up Trini with Jos . As Griffin illuminates Ray's often dangerous world, readers will feel for themselves Ray's dilemma and the difficulties he faces in choosing between Jos , drawn to the fast buck, and his own desires to make something of himself. The language is tough but convincing, the setting authentic, the characters memorable and their struggles played out with a complexity that respects the audience's intelligence. Ages 12 up.
