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Ricky

Eric Walters is one of Canada's most popular writers for so-called "tween" readers and his latest book, Ricky, is sure to appeal to fans and new readers alike as Walters digs into his own tween years in Toronto for inspiration. Ricky's an eighth grader with an amazing menagerie of animals that includes dogs, cats, rats, squirrels, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, grouse, groundhogs, iguanas, budgies, and a three-foot-long alligator called Ollie. It's no wonder, then, that he's a big fan of his science teacher, Mr. Johnston, who has even more animals in his classroom, including Bogart, a pet boa constrictor. When vandals wreck Mr. Johnston's classroom, leading to Bogart's death, Ricky and his best friend Augie decide that it's up to them to put things right. Their plan is to surprise Mr. Johnston with a new snake with the financial help of every kid in the school. But keeping the plan a secret isn't easy when you're dealing with a six-foot boa!

Ricky is a thoroughly engaging contemporary novel that will have particular resonance with boys. Walters looks at some pretty serious issues — including how to cope with the death of a parent, the nature of friendship, learning disabilities, and teen violence — but, as always, he has a light, quirky touch and a strong sense of plot. In an afterword, Walters explains his part in his latest fiction, which will delight readers interested in what inspires their favourite writers. (Ages 8 to 12) — Jeffrey Canton

  • Format
  • paperback
  • Pages
  • 168
  • Language
  • english
  • ISBN
  • 9780006391951
  • Genres
  • canada, fiction, childrens
  • Release date
  • 2002