Scowler

Kraus, D. (2013). Scowler. New York: Delacorte.

Kraus tells the story of Ry Burke. The setting toggles between present, August 1981, and past, July 1971-January 1972. A meteor is threatening to hit and Ry’s sister, 11 year-old Sarah, is mesmerized by the possibility. 19 year-old Ry lives on a dilapidated farm in Iowa with his mother and sister. The farm has been ignored since Marvin’s, his father’s, arrest 9 years before. Ry has no job and no aspirations other than protecting his sister, and his mother thinks it is time to leave the farm behind. His father’s reign of terror and abuse leading to his arrest are described in flashbacks. During that time 10 year old Ry was not allowed to have toys, so he secretly hid and held onto the “unnamed three: Jesus Christ, Furrington and Scowler. “The unnamed three become Ry’s courage, conscience and rage. After witnessing a disturbing event, Ry rescues his mother and distracts his father with a chase through the woods. Ry used his three friends to put a stop to his father resulting in his arrest. The impact of the meteor signals Marvin’s return. This event also welcomes the return of his 3 friends. Ry uses Scowler as a crutch to finally defeat and literally devour his father. The Burk family fights for mental and physical survival in this very descriptive psychological horror thriller recommended for grades 9  and up.