Barry Squires, Full Tilt

It’s the spring of 1995, and 12-year-old Finbar (Barry) Squires is dealing with a myriad of issues. The port wine birthmark on his cheek is fodder for school bullies; his anger management issues result in his spending much time in the principal’s office; and his mom is suffering from post partem depression, leaving the household somewhat chaotic. What Barry wants most of all is to become a member of the Full Tilt Irish Step Dancers at his parish, but his parents aren’t keen (the costumes are expensive), his older siblings make fun of him, and the dance troupe leader, Father O’Flaherty, can’t get past the fact that Barry once punched a hole in the confessional screen. Luckily, Barry can count on a few people: best friend Saibal, a South Asian boy who knows something about being bullied himself; his always supportive grandmother; an aging, homeless British rocker who speaks in Cockney rhymes, Uneven Steven; and his baby brother, Gord.

Smith skillfully balances Barry’s numerous problems against his own exuberant personality. Yes, Barry says and does things he should not; yes, his family calls him out for his misbehaviors and dorkiness; but underneath all the totally believable rowdiness, there is love—something that comes in handy near the end of the book when Gord’s death (from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) sends the entire family reeling. The characters are well-developed (including a memorable group of long-term care home residents) and the local colour (St. Johns, Newfoundland) will be appreciated by readers near and far. By turns hilarious, shocking, embarrassing, and unbearably sad, Barry Squires, Full Tilt is a story not to be missed.