Barry Squires, Full Tilt by Heather Smith

Bibliographic Information:

• Title: Barry Squires, Full Tilt
• Author: Heather Smith
• ISBN: 0735267464
• Publisher: Penguin Teen
• Copyright Date: September 22, 2020

Genre: Coming of Age/Drama/Contemporary Fiction/Realistic Fiction

Format: Book

Awards/Honors: None as of May 2021

Reading Level/Interest Level: Teen ages 13-18 (Goodreads.com 2020)

Plot Summary: Twelve-year-old Barry Squires desperately wants to be a Full Tilt Dancer. After seeing the dancers perform at the local bingo hall, he became obsessed with joining. The Full Tilt Dancers are an elite Irish Step Dance troupe led by Father O’Flaherty, the local head of the Catholic Church. Barry watches his mom’s Riverdance videos and teaches himself the steps and borrows his sister’s and grandmother’s clothes to use as a costume. He tapes pennies to the bottom of his shoes to create tap shoes. The problem is that Barry is a known troublemaker with anger management problems. Father O’Flaherty knows this and refuses to let him try out for the troupe. Barry’s parents refuse to take his dream seriously, but with the support of his grandmother, a local homeless man, members of the old age home, and his best friend Saibel, Barry tries to obtain his goal. When tragedy strikes the Squires’ home, Barry is forced to grow up quickly and realizes that maybe there is more to life than the Full Tilt Dancers.

Author Background: Heather Smith is a Canadian author of YA and children’s books. As a child, Smith was a reluctant reader who struggled with words. She was unable to pronounce certain words and was always swapping out words she could not pronounce with words she could. Smith was originally from Newfoundland which is the inspiration for much of her writing. She currently lives in Waterloo, Ontario with her husband and three children (Heather Smith, 2021). (Please note that this is the only information I could find about this author.)

Critical Evaluation: Barry Squires, Full Tilt is a well written, charming, humorous book that keeps the reader’s attention. Even though Barry, the protagonist, is twelve years old, this book is better suited for YA than middle-grade readers due to some of its content. Barry is a charming and lovable boy who has trouble making friends and is constantly getting into trouble. Many readers will relate to his character- we all know someone just like him. The first 3/4s of the book is very funny, and the last 1/4 is heart breaking and sad. I was not emotionally prepared to switch gears so quickly- it took me by surprise. The setting of Newfoundland, Canada is very interesting since there are not many young adult books set there. The plot is fast moving and engaging. This story is about coming-of-age, friendship, family, and life lessons. Teens who like coming-of-age books that are tear-jerkers will like this book.

Creative Use for a Library Program: Since Barry was obsessed with becoming a Full Tilt dancer, a fun program would be an Irish Step Dancing Workshop. The teens could learn the steps and practice dancing. We could have some Irish food as snacks, such as Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage sliders, and mini shepherd’s pies.

Speed-Round Book Talk: Barry Squires wants to dance. The problem is he is always in trouble. When he finally gets an opportunity to try out for the Full Tilt Dancers, does he rise to the occasion or blow his chances? This book will have you laughing and crying before the end.

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense: Barry Squires, Full Tilt has some underage drinking, swearing, and teenage pregnancy. It is not as bad as many other YA books so this should not be a problem for teens.

Reason for Inclusion: I included Barry Squires, Full Tilt because it is different than any other YA book that I have read. It was funny and sad at the same time. I really got a feel for Barry and his family and what they went through. This is the kind of book that stays with the reader long after they finish reading it.

References:

fritz51286. (2009, February 2). Irish Dance Group – Irish Step Dancing (Riverdance) 2009. [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgGAzBDE454&ab_channel=fritz51286fritz51286

Heather Smith. (2021) About. Retrieved from https://www.heathertsmith.com/about