Review: A storyline that contrasts the complexity of growing up and finding ones self set within a complex fantasy world.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 2, 2013
A 5-star rating for Jeff Jacobson's THE BOY WHO COULDN'T FLY STRAIGHT. A compelling mix of coming of age of a 15 year old male coming to grips with his life being turned inside out and upside down. Not only does he learn that he is a witch, he is confronted with his emerging sexuality and the realization that there are really things that go bump in the night.Adolescence is a confusing time for most of us. I recommend this book to those who might enjoy this exciting coming of age story.  LBGTQQ youth may find much to relate to within the book. As the innocence of childhood slips away and the often harsh realities of becoming an adult grab hold. Life doesn't always go as planned.Personally, even though I am a 60-year old gay man, I could relate and enjoy this story a great deal.  No matter how old we may get, life has a way of knocking us off balance.  Charlie has a rough go of it and this brought to mine the numerous my life has spun out of control. Life isn't made up of simple black and white choices and Charlie learns the harsh lessons of responsibility, prejudice, self-restraint and having to rely on ones self. Jeff impressed me with his respect for his audience and his not turning the story into a simple storyline where everything is wrapped up with a bow.