Spud in Winter

September 1, 1996
Gr 6-9-Fasten your seat belts because Spud in Winter is one ride of a read. Doyle creates a cast of likable, interesting characters and a moderately intriguing plot all submerged in a tumultuous staccato writing style. Spud Sweetgrass, a student at Ottawa Technical High School, is witness to a murder. He wrestles with deciding if he should tell the police what he saw or remain silent. His conscience ultimately wins over his fear, and Spud is completely immersed in helping solve the crime. Doyle's strengths are in his ability to take readers right into the essence of the setting: an Ottawa winter full of crunching snow, plunging temperatures, and frozen canals, but his writing style is simply too jagged for average middle-school readers and is a bit of a turn-off. If you are searching for a mystery that combines an unlikely friendship with overcoming adversity in a very readable style, try Rodman Philbrick's Freak the Mighty (Scholastic, 1993). Old die-hard Doyle fans may persevere through Spud's adventures, but on its own the book is not likely to attract and sustain much of an audience.-Joan Soulliere, Wenham Public Library, MA

June 1, 1996
%% This is a multi-book review. SEE the title "Spud Sweetgrass" for next imprint and review text. %% ((Reviewed June 1 & 15, 1996))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1996, American Library Association.)