One Missing Finger by Don Trembath

Product Details

Children's Literature

The story involves several young teens whose lives intertwine in a small town in Canada. Charlie, a twelve-year-old boy, and his dog Banjo have a run-in with two girls. Banjo, somehow, rips one of the girl's gloves. Gwyneth, the girl, is indignant, but Charlie is instantly in love. Charlie promises to somehow replace the glove in Gwyneth's favorite color, red. Much of the remaining story follows Charlie's efforts to secure a pair of red gloves. His search leads him into encounters with his sister, Crystal, whom he just tolerates, and his friend Sidney, who has love problems of his own. Sidney is in love with Joey, the top female karate performer in class who has been forbidden to see Sidney. Sidney agrees to help Charlie find the red gloves if Charlie will help convince Joey's mother that she should be allowed to see Sidney. Confused? Keeping the characters straight in the story is a bit confusing, and their failure to exhibit much in the way of redeeming qualities makes it difficult to root for any of them. They spend much of their time in purposeless pursuits. In the end, the boys decide to forego romance and stick together as friends, more through resignation than choice. The book is one in the "Black Belt" series by this author. 2001, Orca, $6.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger