Stand Off

Smith, A. ( 2015). Stand Off. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Ryan Dean is a senior at Pine Mountain Academy, but he is only fifteen-years old.  He is returning to school after the summer and after the year where his best friend Joey died.  He is rooming with a twelve-year old freshman, Sam,  who is a cooking genius.   Their room is tiny, and Sam is claustrophobic and has to sleep with the window open.  Rooming with Sam reminds Ryan of his rough time and feelings of being a young freshman.  He complains of having to room with a freshman and feels it's unfair.   During the year, Ryan is haunted by his best friend's death and has night terrors.   He stops eating regularly and feels like he's having a breakdown.  He feels lots of pressure from being named the rugby captain, as well as taking the position of his dead best-friend, Joey.  His girl friend Annie is worried about his panic attacks and suggests he visits the school psychologist, which he does.   Ryan also tries to become friends with Nico, Joey's little brother.  Eventually, they do become friends, and while staying with Nico one weekend, this helps him get over his friend's death.  He also has his first sexual experience with his girlfriend. In the spring, Ryan matures and grows to appreciate his growing friendship with Sam, and realizes what a great friend Sam has been to him.  He realizes how important friendship is when going through a difficult time in your life.

This book would be good to use to teach character development.  In the beginning of the book, Ryan is constantly complaining about his roommate, Sam.  Sam is young and needs a friend, just like Ryan did when he was a freshman.  At the beginning of the book, it is clear that Ryan is selfish and immature about the situation he is in.  As the reader, it feels like Ryan is spoiled and self-absorbed. But Ryan grows and matures during his senior year.   He learns to deal with his feelings and eventually becomes a good friend to Sam and Nico.  

Connections for young adults: Stand Off is written from a young man's point of view.  This book discusses first sexual encounters, first loves, losing a friend, dealing with strong feelings, and adjusting to new situations.   Since the setting is at a prep-school, it also deals with independence and making decisions on your own.