Review Detail

Joel didn't want to get in the river. He didn't want to go ride his bike so far out. But, he did, and can he ever live with the consequences when he gets out the water and Tony never will.

It all started with a bike ride. Joel and Tony went on a bike ride to go climb the bluffs. On the way, Tony dares Joel to go swim in the river. Its on. The both go in and make it to the other side. Then on the way back, something happens to Tony, and he never makes it to the other side.

This is really a sad book, because the ending doesn't leave everyone happy, at all. At first, Joel keeps it a secret that Tony has died. Then, everyone gets curious. Finally, he tells them all that, yes Tony died, and he blames it on himself.

So I would not reccommend reading this book without being prepared for Tony to die. Its just such a ruiner of your day thing, but it also makes you think about death and stuff. And, of course, you feel so sorry for poor Joel, when he can't get the stink of the river off his clothes, just like in the Tell-Tale Heart.