Easy Avenue Book

Brian Doyle's popular novel introduces Hubbo O'Driscoll, the resourceful hero torn between loyalty to his poor but fun friends and relations, and the shallow but rich kids at his school -- and all the pleasures their money can buy.Hubbo's first year in high school gets off to a rocky start when his attempt to impress his schoolmates with a handstand at the top of the school's ceremonial staircase is met with a rude reprimand from the snarling vice-principal. Busily avoiding his guardian aunt, who also happens to be the school's cleaning lady, he tries to cultivate a friendship with the lovely Fleurette Featherstone Fitchell, who sees right through Hubbo's desire to be accepted by the exclusive Hi-Y Club. The plot thickens when a mysterious benefactor suddenly appears and Hubbo gets a job working for the elegant, elderly Miss Collar-Cuff. A rich Dickensian cast and an improbable sunrise ending round out this wonderfully comic look at a serious subject.