Sprout by Dale Peck is the story of Daniel Bradford, a gay teenager who is nicknamed Sprout because he dyes his hair green. When Sprout’s mother dies, his grieving father decides to leave Long Island and take Sprout with him to Kansas. They buy a small trailer, and Sprout’s father drinks all day and starts collecting stumps, having no intention of getting a job. Sprout enters school and feels like an outsider until he meets Ruthie, a confident, outgoing girl determined to get what she wants and maybe help Sprout out too. Sprout, with Ruthie’s help, soon begins to dye his hair green, allowing him to stand out even more at school. Sprout’s writing abilities get him approached by Mrs. Miller, an English teacher inclined to drink a little too much who helps him develop his writing and encourages him to enter an essay writing contest. Two guys enter Sprout’s life, one who he only feels lust for, and the other who shows Sprout true love. Through all of this, Sprout struggles with who he really is and eventually learns more about himself.
This novel is so unique and well-written. The characters are all so realistic and well-developed, especially Sprout. The way he thinks and writes is very mature, yet believable and often funny at the same time. I like how the story revolves around his relationships with others and his struggle to understand himself, not his desire to come out as gay and be accepted (most people already know that he is gay, including his father and Mrs. Miller, and don’t really make a big deal out of it). Sprout’s unique voice always comes through, entertaining the reader and making the story more poignant. The other characters add to Sprout’s story and help him understand himself, even when they betray him (or he betrays them!). The ending was unexpected and a little unsatisfying, but it seemed to fit with the book. Sprout is definitely one of the most well-written and interesting novels I have read this year, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt, but also humorous, story.
This novel is so unique and well-written. The characters are all so realistic and well-developed, especially Sprout. The way he thinks and writes is very mature, yet believable and often funny at the same time. I like how the story revolves around his relationships with others and his struggle to understand himself, not his desire to come out as gay and be accepted (most people already know that he is gay, including his father and Mrs. Miller, and don’t really make a big deal out of it). Sprout’s unique voice always comes through, entertaining the reader and making the story more poignant. The other characters add to Sprout’s story and help him understand himself, even when they betray him (or he betrays them!). The ending was unexpected and a little unsatisfying, but it seemed to fit with the book. Sprout is definitely one of the most well-written and interesting novels I have read this year, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt, but also humorous, story.
~Angela
P.S. You can buy Sprout here.
Keeps sounding more and more awesome. I really want to read this.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
This sounds like the type of book I would absolutely love!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a unique read, and I love the cover!
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