Set in present-day Orillia, Ontario, Stones explores the tragedy surrounding the Oro Township's African Methodist Church through the eyes of Garnet Havelock and Raphaella Skye--two white high school students.
Stones asks: What do you do when confronted by beliefs contrary to yours?
William Bell
Seal Books
an imprint of Random House of Canada
Young Adult, mystery
2001
276 pages
CLA Young Adult Book of the Year
Garnet meets Raphaella in grade eleven when they are asked to debate the topic "that love at first sight is a hoax." (p. 18) He is pro; she is con. Garnet confesses that "[e]ven before she finished talking, I had fallen in love with her." (p. 28) Garnet believes "in logic, reason, science, hard fact." (p. 20) Raphaella introduces him to a new way of knowing.
There is so much in Stones to love. For example, strong women unafraid to take risks and stand up for their beliefs. And Garnet. Garnet emotes feelings--fear and love--that men typically run from expressing.
This book is so captivating that it is as if it read itself while I sat and listened. I started reading Stones on Canada Day (July 1) and finished a mere ten days later. An unheard-of rate for this slow reader.
"the real question [...] isn't Who's right [...]? It's What is Knowledge?" (p. 220)
Next Sunday...
Publish Me (short story) by Leanne Dyck
Have you ever felt like this?
