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The Order of the Poison Oak
Author: Brent HartingerISBN: 0-06-056730-9
"Yeah, yeah, sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me. First of all, anyone who thinks words can't hurt you has obviously never taken sophomore P.E. And second, did it ever occur to whoever wrote that stupid adage that hurtful words might be a pretty good indication that sticks and stones are on the way? It's not like it's an either or thing."
Russel Middlebrook can't wait for summer to arrive. Ever since he came out at school, life has been a living hell. He just wishes he could get away to someplace where nobody knows he's gay. So when Gunnar, one of his best friends, tells him about his summer job as a camp counselor, Russ signs on as well. He's thrilled when their other best friend, Min, becomes a counselor as well. He's sure the three of them will have a magical summer at the lake.
Everything is going well until his first group of campers arrives and he finds himself with a cabin full of ten-year-old burn survivors. He wants to feel sorry for them, but their wild antics won't allow it. It seems like the more he tries to exercise his authority, the more they misbehave -- and he has no idea who to regain control and earn their respect.
As if that isn't enough, Gunnar has decided that he's destined to never have a girlfriend so he might as well stop trying. He refuses to listen no matter how hard Russel tries to convince him that he's found the perfect girl for him. Then there's Web Bastion, one of the most beautiful guys Russ has ever seen. The only problem is Min thinks so too -- and they're both going after him. Before long, neither of his friends are speaking to him, his campers are out of control, and there's a very real danger building on the other side of the lake.
The Order of the Poison Oak is Brent Hartinger's sequel to his best-selling young adult novel Geography Club. The book continues the story of Russel Middlebrook, an appealing and engaging protagonist. Once again, Hartinger really captures the feel of teenage life. His characters feel real. They aren't perfect. They make mistakes and they feel pain, but he doesn't let them get bogged down by their emotions. A witty barb is always waiting right around the corner.
I was especially impressed with his handling of the burn survivors, both the campers and fellow counselor Otto. This storyline could have easily become maudlin and sappy, but he kept it crisp and authentic.
Hartinger has proven himself a master in the YA genre, achieving mainstream success and many accolades. While his books are aimed primarily at a teen audience, kids of all ages will love his realistic and relatable tales of teenaged angst. Hartinger writes with a conversational flare -- you almost feel as if Russel himself is relating the story to you. At times, this wears a little thin, but over all it works well for the story. We need more books like this available for teens, both LGBT and straight.
If you enjoyed Geography Club, then The Order of the Poison Oak is a must-read. And if you haven't read Geography Club, what are you waiting for?