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A review by bookdragon217
On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thanks to @scholasticinc and @coloredpagesblogtours for the gifted copy. Happy pub day to "On the Hook" by @francisco_stork!
QOTD: What book had a plot twist that completely left you speechless?
"Courage was more than willingness to take risks. It was a quality of mind that allowed a player to face imminent danger, even an inescapable trap, with self control. Courage did not panic, did not give up. It was composure under pressure, the ability to keep the mind alert and focused no matter what. It was doing what needed to be done even when you're afraid."
"On the Hook" is about Hector, a promising high school who is doing all the right things to get into a great college and make his family proud. He's a talented chess player with killer grades. One day he is threatened and attacked by a local gang member and freezes up. This eventually leads to a tragic incident which threatens to derail his entire future and changes his family forever.
I really enjoyed the pacing of the author's writing. The beginning really focuses on the back story and then "Bam" you get hit right in the face with the plot turn right in the middle of the book. The emotions conveyed are so honest and raw that you instantly feel Hector's pain. You almost want to intervene but you know you can't because it all feels so real. I had to close the book and take a break immediately because I was completely immersed in the story.
This story really moved me deeply even though I'm not the intended audience. It is a great one to read with youth and discuss closely. This is definitely one to add to your middle grade and older classroom libraries.
What really sticks out about this one are the core questions it poses:
♟How do you gain the courage to fight for your own life despite your circumstances?
♟How do you move past anger and revenge and not get lost in it?
♟How do you find your voice in an uber masculine world that dictates that men have to get physical in order to prove bravery?
♟How do you maintain your faith in the face of so much tragedy?
♟How do you separate duty and love?
♟Is revenge ever greater than the consequences?
♟How do you overcome crippling fear?
QOTD: What book had a plot twist that completely left you speechless?
"Courage was more than willingness to take risks. It was a quality of mind that allowed a player to face imminent danger, even an inescapable trap, with self control. Courage did not panic, did not give up. It was composure under pressure, the ability to keep the mind alert and focused no matter what. It was doing what needed to be done even when you're afraid."
"On the Hook" is about Hector, a promising high school who is doing all the right things to get into a great college and make his family proud. He's a talented chess player with killer grades. One day he is threatened and attacked by a local gang member and freezes up. This eventually leads to a tragic incident which threatens to derail his entire future and changes his family forever.
I really enjoyed the pacing of the author's writing. The beginning really focuses on the back story and then "Bam" you get hit right in the face with the plot turn right in the middle of the book. The emotions conveyed are so honest and raw that you instantly feel Hector's pain. You almost want to intervene but you know you can't because it all feels so real. I had to close the book and take a break immediately because I was completely immersed in the story.
This story really moved me deeply even though I'm not the intended audience. It is a great one to read with youth and discuss closely. This is definitely one to add to your middle grade and older classroom libraries.
What really sticks out about this one are the core questions it poses:
♟How do you gain the courage to fight for your own life despite your circumstances?
♟How do you move past anger and revenge and not get lost in it?
♟How do you find your voice in an uber masculine world that dictates that men have to get physical in order to prove bravery?
♟How do you maintain your faith in the face of so much tragedy?
♟How do you separate duty and love?
♟Is revenge ever greater than the consequences?
♟How do you overcome crippling fear?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse