3 July 2021 ON THE HOOK by Francisco X. Stork, Scholastic Press, May 2021, 304p., ISBN: 978-1-338-69215-0

“We tend to think of movie watching or reading as passive activities. That may be true physically, but it’s not true emotionally. When we watch a film or read a novel, we join ourselves to a character’s trajectory through the story world. We see things from their point of view--feel scared when they are threatened, wounded when they are hurt, pleased when they succeed. These feelings are familiar to us as readers or viewers. But our propensity to identify with characters is actually a remarkable demonstration of our ability to empathize with others.

When we examine this process of identification in fiction, we appreciate the importance of empathy--not only in enjoying works of literature, but in helping us form connections with those around us in the real world. The feelings elicited by fiction go beyond the words on a page or the images on a screen. Far from being solitary activities, reading books or watching movies or plays actually can help train us in the art of being human.”

-- Kenneth Oatley, “A Feeling for Fiction” (Greater Good Magazine, 2005)

“Hector stood on his toes to relieve the pressure, but Joey’s grip gradually increased until all the air coming into Hector’s lungs was cut off. Then, just as Hector was about to lose consciousness, Joey let him go. Hector sank to his knees, coughing and gagging. As soon as he could breathe, Joey pulled Hector’s hair until Hector was on his feet again.

‘Listen to me, culero.’ Joey grabbed Hector’s face and held it until Hector’s eyes were focused. ‘I’m gonna kill you.’

‘Please! No!’

‘Cállate. I’m talking. I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna slice you up. Not now. Soon. I want you to think about it. Every pinche minute of your pinche vida you be thinking about it. Be waiting for it. And this is so you don’t forget you’re a gusano. A mierda, a cobarde.’ Joey stuck his forearm in Hector’s neck and pushed his head hard against the recycling container. He lifted Hector’s T-shirt and slowly carved a C in the left side of Hector’s chest, above his heart. It was a thin cut, only the depth of the skin, and Hector was surprised when it did not hurt at first. Then there was a slight burning sensation that gradually increased until his whole body ached. Hector tightened his jaw to prevent himself from crying out. He felt the saltiness of tears fill his eyes.

‘Why?’ It was all he could think of saying.

‘I own you, puto,’ Joey said, a few inches from Hector’s face. ‘From now on you’re mine.’”

For days, as I’ve read ON THE HOOK, I’ve repeatedly felt the sharp pain of that box cutter slicing a big arc through the skin on my chest. As a long-ago victim of bullying, that scene, where Joey corners, threatens, and cuts Hector Robles, in the dark parking lot behind the Piggly Wiggly--and then threatens even worse if Hector tells anyone--left me falling asleep and awakening with Joey on my mind.

ON THE HOOK is an electrifying contemporary YA tale.

Joey, who is sixteen like Hector, is the little step-brother of Chavo, the local drug dealer. They all live in the El Paso projects. Chavo is reputed to have actually killed someone, so Hector is justifiably terrified.

Hector doesn’t know for sure why Joey has suddenly decided to make his life a living hell, but he suspects and fears that it’s related to the fact that Hector’s big brother Fili is now in a serious relationship with beautiful Gloria, who briefly dated Chavo until she found out what he was about. 

Eventually, Chavo and Fili get into a fight because of Gloria. A fight that Joey ends abruptly with a baseball bat.

Life wasn’t always like this for Hector. His family had an idyllic home and home life that was lost when his father died, sending the family into a financial tailspin and leading them to an apartment in the projects. Through it all, Hector has remained a star student and a renowned high school chess player. He's got a great female friend who is also a bright student and stellar chess player.

Author Francisco X. Stork alludes to and utilizes Hemingway’s THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA to great effect. Hector finds himself pondering whether he is the fisherman or the fish on the hook.

Without revealing any more, I’ll say that ON THE HOOK might well assist adolescent readers in forming connections with those in the real world. It’s a story that’s likely going to haunt my thoughts for a while.

Richie Partington, MLIS

Richie's Picks  http://richiespicks.pbworks.com

https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/

https://twitter.com/richiespicks        

richiepartington@gmail.com