THE COMEBACK GUY

With this moving story of a boy's introspection and painful but genuine growth lies a rewarding lesson for teenagers everywhere. Jeff Stanley's conceit and arrogance have lost him friends, popularity and his place as ""King"" of the cheerleaders. On advice from the school counsellor, Jeff slowly begins a long process of review and ""self analysis"". Gradually his self image and life ideals change. With a new job, the pursuit of a new interest in athletics (vaulting), Jeff wins the respect of a previously overprotective family. As he matures, Jeff discovers what real friendship is all about through his association with a new boy at school, and defines for himself the real meaning of education in what started out to be a dull assignment in English. Although he does not make his comeback as an entirely successful athlete, he receives the popularity award at Commencement for another much more crucial comeback as a real human being. The enormous variety of thought-provoking ideas here makes this important recommended reading.