Ostrich Boys

Starred review from February 8, 2010
British author Gray’s U.S. debut is both an unusual twist on the road trip trope and a touching story of teenage friendship. After their friend Ross is struck by a car and killed while riding his bike, Blake, Kenny, and Sim decide to honor his memory. After a few acts of petty revenge on people who had made Ross’s last few days tough, they decide to steal his ashes and take them to the Scottish namesake town of Ross. Along the way, they get thrown off a train, lose their money, meet and flirt with three attractive Scottish girls, and discover some often uncomfortable truths about each other and their relationship with Ross. Gray’s story could have ended up a collection of coming-of-age clichés, but instead is likely to defy readers’ expectations as the boys make their way north. Although there are action sequences featuring escapes from the police, stolen mopeds, and even a bungee jump, it’s the relationship among the boys—expressed as much through believable teen banter as through obvious and emotional revelatory moments—that drives the story. Ages 12–up.

Starred review from March 1, 2010
Gr 8 Up-When Ross was alive, he talked about creating great stories by living life to the fullest. He did not get to live his life very fully, but his dreams were big. One was to travel to his "namesake"Ross, Scotland. After his funeral, which his best friends Kenny, Blake, and Sim deem unworthy of him, the three teens decide to kidnap his ashes and take them on a road trip from northern England to the small Scottish town. The boys are grieving and trying to honor their friend's memory, but things go increasingly wrong on the two-day trip and instead of turning around and calling for help, they keep moving forward, ignoring all sense, making bad moves at every turn. Although it concerns death and grief, the story is never heavy-handed; Gray offers plenty of humor and grace. Understanding of the boys grows with the story; they come to know themselves better, as readers do. Gray's writing is cheeky, crisp, and realistic. He has created funny, bright characters whom readers cannot help but root for. They act impulsively, but their actions come from the heart. At the end of their trip and of the book, things are not tied up neatly, but resolution is hinted at. This is a smart, touching novel with an ending that packs an emotional wallop."Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2010
Grades 8-12 When their friend Ross is killed in an accident, Blake, Sam, and Kenny are devastated by the loss and furious at the hypocritical outpouring of support by previously uncaring teachers and fellow students at the boys funeral. What are the mourning mates to do? Why, steal Ross ashes, of course, and take them from London to the village of Ross in Scotland for a proper funeral. What starts as a bit of a farce quickly turns serious as the three teens encounter mounting difficulties on their journey. Secrets theyve either jealously guarded from each other or chosen, ostrichlike, to ignore begin to spill outsecrets that will test their own friendship and may reveal some surprises about Ross death. Unfortunately, the critically important backstory is reserved for the very end of the book, where its presentation feels rushed and a bit prosaic. Nevertheless, the boys are likable, their adventures en route are often diverting, and the big reveal invites some rethinking of the meaning of hypocrisy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)