The First Stone

By Don Aker

Book Overview

Reef is a troubled sixteen-year-old, who likes to smoke pot and drink with his friends in a derelict abandoned building. He also likes to throw stones from bridges over roads. There's a reason he throws stones - stemming from an abusive childhood - but one of his stones ends up smashing the windshield of seventeen-year-old Leeza Hemming's car, causing a horrific accident and landing Leeza in a hospital for three months, learning to walk again. Meanwhile, Reef faces charges in court and ends up being sentenced to a group home, where he will have to attend classes and volunteer at a rehabilitation center. Because of some fluke in the assignment, he ends up volunteering with Leeza - they both don't know who each other is - and they start to help each other face life. Ironically, Reef is the key to Leeza's recovery, and vice versa. Then Leeza's mother walks in her daughter's hospital room and recognizes Reef from the courtroom...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062313495
• ISBN13: 9780062313492
• Release Date: May 2014
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.9" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

Realistic and Well Written

After a horrifying accident Leeza is sent to a rehabilitation center. At the same time Reef is arrested and sent to help at that same center for community service. Both teenagers have experienced great losses in their past and are still dealing with old, as well as new, wounds. As these two begin to know each other they find themselves healing, something they never thought they could do. I really had fun reading The First Stone. There are not many books where you can get into the head of more than one character. The story takes turns telling the life story of Leeza and Reef, skipping back and forth sharing their views of what is happening. Even with all that Reef had done I still liked his character and felt sorry for him at the end. The characters were all realistic and so was the way they spoke. This is a pretty good book in all.

Rooting for Reef

In Don Aker's novel, The First Stone, characters come to life and overcome all odds. I instantly found myself rooting for Reef, the main character and I attribute this to Aker's stark, yet poignant writing skills. Aker left the door open for a sequel without leaving you disappointed at the outcome. This book has impacted my life and I have a renewed belief that people can change. I definitley reccommend reading this book, but make sure your heart is open to accept Reef for all he is.