Reviewed by Lisa McCombs
When high school junior Drew finds himself in an unexpected conflict with his friends on the last day of school, he contemplates the existence of guardian angels, or higher powers that interfere with destiny. The Sink is a local hangout full of mystery, but never danger. The Sink is the meeting hole for young folks in town and that is where he, Daniel, Angie, Jane, and Robby go to begin the first day of summer vacation. Drew is already at odds with his mother because of his decision to spend money on a 1969 Fender Stratocaster guitar instead of paying the balance on his Guatemalan mission trip. He insists that his journey to Guatemala is in his plans and he assures her that he will be responsible for his debt in an attempt to ease her already concerned motherly mind. Drew’s life decisions are just not in line with her expectations of him at the moment. But Drew is content with his commitments and content with his friendships until he and Daniel conflict at The Sink. Neither of them had ever entertained the idea of inflicting bodily harm on one another. Was Drew destined to die at the hands of his friend? Was this his destiny?
Afternoon, a novella by Robert Lampros, introduces a different view of teenage conflicts faced today. Drew wants to maintain his friendships but he struggles with the existence of Jesus and his own faith responsibilities. The uncertainty of sharing his experience with friends and family reflects a common uncertainty in each teenager’s life’s decisions. It is refreshing to find YA fiction based on a religious/spiritual theme. Thank you, Robert Lampros, for publicizing this touchy subject for your young adult readers. Afternoon is a very readable, age-appropriate story that will surely appeal to those readers in need of acceptance.
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