Doyle, B. (1995). Spud in winter. Toronto, Ontario: Groundwood Books.
Summary:
John “Spud” Sweetgrass witnesses a murder outside of his home one morning. He notices that one of the accomplices to the murder is a man who gets his hair done by his friend, Connie Pan. Spud is conflicted because he does not want to tell the police about the accomplice if it is going to put Connie in danger, especially now that he really likes her. Finally, Spud realizes that it is easier to deal with a problem if he tells people. Detective Kennedy, Spud, Connie, and Spud’s friend Dink are now on the case.
Advisory Information:
Themes:
a. Coming of Age: Spud is starting to grow up. He is starting to understand his feelings towards Connie, and is helping his mother get over the death of her husband, Spud’s father.
b. Multiculturalism in Canada: Connie is part Vietnamese and Filipino. Spud is half-Irish, half-Ojibway teen. Both of these ethnicities are crucial elements to each character’s personality and background.
c. Grief and Getting over Death: Having to deal with the repercussions of his father’s death, Spud is learning how to become the “man of the house.”
Age Recommendation:
I would consider this novel to be an early teen read for young adults, youth aged 12-14. The novel does include instances of adult language, and while it is mild for today’s standards, parents of younger readers should be cautioned. The murder is also something that while not obscene, is graphic enough for readers to understand exactly what happened. Furthermore, the killer does commit arson and abduct a man who he thinks is the witness to the murder. The relationship between Spud and Connie is innocent, with them simply holding hands and sharing a kiss.
Other Information
The book takes place in Ottawa.
This is a sequel to the book Spud Sweetgrass.
Reaction:
I really enjoyed the writing style in Spud in Winter. The literary devices like the coldest storm correlating with Spud’s anxiety over the shooter along with similes and metaphors helped the reader get a feeling not only for the story and characters, but also Canadian winters in Ottawa. I also really enjoyed Doyle’s incorporation of a mixed heritage protagonist. Spud’s Ojibway heritage is a part of him, however it is incorporated subtly in anecdotes that Spud’s father would tell him.
Summary:
John “Spud” Sweetgrass witnesses a murder outside of his home one morning. He notices that one of the accomplices to the murder is a man who gets his hair done by his friend, Connie Pan. Spud is conflicted because he does not want to tell the police about the accomplice if it is going to put Connie in danger, especially now that he really likes her. Finally, Spud realizes that it is easier to deal with a problem if he tells people. Detective Kennedy, Spud, Connie, and Spud’s friend Dink are now on the case.
Advisory Information:
Themes:
a. Coming of Age: Spud is starting to grow up. He is starting to understand his feelings towards Connie, and is helping his mother get over the death of her husband, Spud’s father.
b. Multiculturalism in Canada: Connie is part Vietnamese and Filipino. Spud is half-Irish, half-Ojibway teen. Both of these ethnicities are crucial elements to each character’s personality and background.
c. Grief and Getting over Death: Having to deal with the repercussions of his father’s death, Spud is learning how to become the “man of the house.”
Age Recommendation:
I would consider this novel to be an early teen read for young adults, youth aged 12-14. The novel does include instances of adult language, and while it is mild for today’s standards, parents of younger readers should be cautioned. The murder is also something that while not obscene, is graphic enough for readers to understand exactly what happened. Furthermore, the killer does commit arson and abduct a man who he thinks is the witness to the murder. The relationship between Spud and Connie is innocent, with them simply holding hands and sharing a kiss.
Other Information
The book takes place in Ottawa.
This is a sequel to the book Spud Sweetgrass.
Reaction:
I really enjoyed the writing style in Spud in Winter. The literary devices like the coldest storm correlating with Spud’s anxiety over the shooter along with similes and metaphors helped the reader get a feeling not only for the story and characters, but also Canadian winters in Ottawa. I also really enjoyed Doyle’s incorporation of a mixed heritage protagonist. Spud’s Ojibway heritage is a part of him, however it is incorporated subtly in anecdotes that Spud’s father would tell him.
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