Skater Boy gave my 00’s heart all the endorphins. It’s a story full of references, throwback moments, and a story about having the courage to re-invent ourselves. We are more than the labels. Keep reading this book review of Skater Boy for my full thoughts.
Summary
Stonebridge High’s resident bad boy, Wesley “Big Mac” Mackenzie, is failing senior year—thanks to his unchecked anger, rowdy friends, and a tendency to ditch his homework for skateboarding and a secret photography obsession. So when his mom drags him to a production of The Nutcracker, Wes isn’t interested at all . . . until he sees Tristan Monroe. Mr. Nutcracker himself.
Wes knows he shouldn’t like Tristan; after all, he’s a ballet dancer, and Wes is as closeted as they come. But when they start spending time together, Wes can’t seem to get Tristan out of his head. Driven by a new sense of purpose, Wes begins to think that—despite every authority figure telling him otherwise—maybe he can change for the better and graduate on time.
As a falling out with his friends becomes inevitable, Wes realizes that being himself means taking a stand—and blowing up the bad-boy reputation he never wanted in the first place.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I had the best time reading Skater Boy. It’s a story about being more than the labels and check boxes of what who people think we are. There is so much going on behind these eyes. We can become compartmentalized, we can think of ourselves as just one thing, one identity, one label. But there’s so much more to us than that. I loved every character in Skater Boy. Wes immediately endears him to us. His relationship with his mother. The ways he has these vulnerabilities and insecurities hidden beneath the surface.
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What happens to who we are when our interests begin to collide. When we have to question the easy walls we have erected around ourselves. Skater Boy is multi-faceted exploring friendship drama, crushes, and second chances. How our reputation can sometimes just happen without us knowing it. Skater Boy is perfect for YA Contemporary fans and making amends. For those who love reading about characters who have to realize our own impact, the importance of apologies, and second chances. Find Skater Boy on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.