Three Clams and an Oyster - Hardcover

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Rezensionen

Grades 7-10--With characteristic candor and insight, Powell reveals the contradictions and conflicts in the adolescent male psyche. Flint McCallister, 16, is the captain of Three Clams and an Oyster, a four-man flag-football team in Seattle. The Clams are unhappy with unreliable, party-loving Cade Savage, who has filled the Oyster spot since the accidental death of another teammate two years earlier. Hanging out together, the three teens wrestle with their personal biases and perspectives on dumping Cade and on recruiting a well-coordinated but distracted ladies' man; a hopeful but inept newcomer; or a self-confident, athletic female. Their animated, argumentative conversations expose both their individual and gender hang-ups and their mutual commitment to creating a winning team. When, at last, Flint steps forward as captain to confront Cade and accept Rachel Summerfield as the new Oyster, the Clams are united in friendship and competitive desire. Athletically, Flint and his teammates pride themselves on the skills they've acquired after seven years of playing together; socially, they are assertive but reflective. With lively dialogue, adolescent angst, teasing, and camaraderie, the Clams chide one another into defining values, appreciating differences, and recognizing commitment. Rachel challenges the predetermined role of each team player, and the boys realize that they must adapt to succeed. This low-key story focuses on character more than plot and presents an entertaining expos‚ of adolescent male friendships, attitudes, and maturation.
Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Although this witty and trenchant story revolves around a flag football team, there are few scenes played on the field. As in many of Powell's previous novels (Tribute to Another Dead Rock Star; The Whistling Toilets), most of the action takes place inside the main character's head, over the course of a single weekend. Flint McCallister, captain of the four-man team called Three Clams and an Oyster, faces a dilemma: he has to find a replacement for the "Oyster," irresponsible Cade Savage, who fails to show up for the first game. But none of the candidates seem suitable to fill Cade's sneakers. There's Goon, whose anatomical quirks, silk shirt with puffy sleeves and dance moves lead Flint to describe him as Wayne Newton with breasts. Then there's Thor, the womanizer. Rachel Summerfield appears to be a much better prospect, but having a girl on the team especially one who doesn't shave her legs might be more than the Clams can handle. Flint's search for a fourth teammate evolves into a journey of discovery as he reflects upon his team's past and future and mulls over his relationships with the other players. The tone of the intimate first-person narrative skillfully shifts from philosophical to comical to poignant, allowing readers to experience the gradual opening up of Flint's clam-shell world as he lets go of the familiar and welcomes new possibilities. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.