SLAM

Like the movie Knocked Up, this is a story about an accidental pregnancy that nudges the male protagonist into adulthood. The difference is that the male in question is not an immature man pitifully hanging onto his boyhood, but a skateboard-loving 15-year-old youngster named Sam—ironically the fruit of a teen pregnancy himself—who is in no way, shape or form ready for the responsibility of parenthood. But ready or not, the baby is coming and Sam, who had already broken up with his girlfriend by the time she realized she was pregnant, has no choice—a real message for boys here—but to cope. This tale, which is deeply cautionary—Use condoms! Properly!—is ultimately hopeful and has something to say about the flexible nature of family. It’s also full of pleasures that readers familiar with Hornby should recognize, such as the kooky subsidiary characters and clever off-center dialogue, though his idea of occasionally fast-forwarding the protagonist into the future is initially confusing. Still, it’s funny, strong and disturbing, a must read for older boys. (Fiction. YA)