Moving to upstate New York, Doug and his broken family are following a job opportunity for his abusive father. Although the father's violent actions are never specifically played out, you know he is quick to through a punch when his very short fuse is lit. The mom obviously lives for her kids and puts up with the marriage for them. The youngest of three boys, Doug has a middle brother that is constantly in trouble with the law and an older one who returns home from the Vietnam War.
Doug flounders in who he is. He has little self esteem and is belittled by every adult in his life except mom. He lands a job for the local deli as a grocery delivery boy on Saturdays and gets to meet many of the town's residents in his route who support him, turn on him, and he regains their trust. His shady dad does so many underhanded things that could break him (and probably did break the older boys) but this move is filled with role models for him coming of age that leave a greater mark on his life.
* This is a great story for character changes. Doug could be bitter and resentful, but he finds places and people that keep him encouraged that he does not have to become a victim of his circumstances. This is what hooked me the most. You could compare it to how new girl India Opal meets the locals in Because of Winn Dixie.
* Though we don't know a lot about the prior setting, discussion on how Doug's new town and it's importance to the story could be a good discussion.
It's been a long time since I've had this much to say about a book. Especially one I was hesitant to read!
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