Posted in Eclectic Me

I just finished reading Muckraker based on a true story, by Billy Callahan.  The author is an old school chum of mine.  Billy still resides in NJ, and I haven't had contact with him in years, but I remember him fondly, and wondered about his first novel.  I don't know why it has taken me so long to get around to reading this, but I finally have. 

Muckraker is about a 16 yr old boy, Ashley Munroe, a school newspaper reporter.  He writes a story blowing the cover on a drug ring, comprised mostly of kids, that forms right across from the police department.  He takes a stand against the drug ring by writing the article, and the fallout afterwards is , well, petrifying, for a teenager. 

While I felt the writing style was a bit juvenile (thus hitting home with many teens), the story itself is excellent.  Billy captured what it would have been like for a teen in that town having gone through this experience.  He even does a good job of describing the demographics of the town. 

I admit, it felt very strange reading an intimate recollection of the town I spent much time growing up in.  The places, the streets, the hangouts, were all true to form.  Slang talk the kids used, was also very accurate.  Overall, I found this story to be one I would like to share with my eldest, as I found the "stand up for what you believe in, regardless of persecution" theme a good sounding board for discussion and to tie in with God's scripture pertaining to such.  Isaiah came to mind whiel reading this story. 

All in all, it was a quick and fun read.  I was waiting for the ending...even though I knew what it was.  I recommend this book for parents to read aloud with their teens, also integrating God's principals.  Be warned though, there is some bad language and parties are described including drinking and pot smoking.  There is also a scene depicting a flasher. 

These are my thoughts.

Tagged:  Muckraker Billy Callahan culture review