The Real Question

By Adrian Fogelin

Book Overview

When Fisher tries to escape from the responsibilities of his overachieving life, he gains a new understanding of the dangers of neglecting his connections and commitments to others.

For Fisher Brown, bearing responsibility for the well-being and happiness of the people around him is a heavy burden. Not long after his mother's sudden departure, Fisher lost interest in school. But now--under the strict supervision of his high school counselor father--he is jockeying for position at the top of his high school class. It's a challenging role, but as long as Fisher single-mindedly prepares for college and practices for the SATs, he can keep his father happy.

When Fisher meets Lonnie Traynor, whose rootless, carefree existence is so markedly different from his own, he is drawn to his take-life-as-it-comes attitude. But Lonnie's footloose ways come with a long history of letting down the people he loves. As Fisher becomes an unwitting participant in Lonnie's hapless adventures, he begins to rethink what it means to be responsible for other people.

Award-winning author Adrian Fogelin once again offers readers an emotionally charged story featuring a sympathetic adolescent trying to make sense of the people and world around him.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561453838
• ISBN13: 9781561453832
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 12 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 9

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Study, study, study. Fisher Brown is a junior in high school and his life consists of studying. Son of the high school guidance counselor, Fisher feels the pressure to excel in academics. Ever since the day Walt Brown's wife left and never came home, he has focused his life on doing the best for his son. He leaves inspirational sticky notes everywhere, and urges Fisher to make every effort count. "THE BIG DAY" is coming up - the SAT test - and he considers it Fisher's ticket to a scholarship and an Ivy League school. A week before the SAT, Fisher's grandmother is scheduled to be moved into a nursing home. Mr. Brown agrees that Fisher should stay at home and study while he takes care of the move. He knows Fisher is dependable and can take care of himself over the weekend and get himself to school the following week, so he can concentrate on getting Grandmother moved. However, no one counted on Fisher meeting Lonny, a drifter whose brother lives next door to the Brown's. When Fisher's dad leaves on his trip, Lonny invites Fisher to take the weekend off from studying to help him with a little project. The two take off by Greyhound bus on what Lonny promises to be an adventure. THE REAL QUESTION takes Fisher on an amazing and at times dangerous journey. His experience, although taking him away from home, helps him learn more about himself, his dad, and perhaps see another side to the mother who left years ago. Adrian Fogelin's writing is filled with humor, emotion, and heartwarming characters that make the story truly remarkable. This is a book well worth having in any collection. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"