The Goats

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The Goats

Goats, The - Hardcover - USA - Perfect Learning.jpg

Hardcover (Perfect Learning).

Author Brock Cole
Published 1990-07-01
Type Fiction
Genre Drama
Themes Adventure, Childhood, Coming of age, Drama, Puberty, Runaway, Teen
Age Group Teen

The Goats is a young adult novel by Brock Cole first published on 1990-07-01. Because the book describes child nudity (though not in a sexual way), bullying, and running away, it is often challenged in libraries. The book was adapted into a movie titled Standing Up.

The story follows two kids who are the victims of a cruel prank at summer camp, and their subsequent difficulties as they run away from the camp and try to survive on their own without any money or even clothes.

Personal

Own?Mass-market paperback.
Read?Mass-market paperback.
Finished2000s.

My friend Jackie was going to sell her extra books to a used book store and asked if I wanted to take a look through any of them. This one caught my eye, and she gave it a pretty stellar review, so I took it, and boy am I glad I did because I absolutely adore it.

Review

Overall:

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— This section contains spoilers! —

Good

  • Howie and Laura are both very believable characters that, in my childhood, I could easily relate to.
  • I continually felt both interested, worried, and excited through the whole book.
  • I love that the book doesn't pull any punches on coming-of-age issues like pubic hair, menstruation, and the like.
  • The occasional forays into the camp councilors and Laura's mom, keep the book exciting.
  • Near the end, I really felt afraid for Howie and Laura, especially with the encounter with the police officer, and the final running away dilemma.
  • I really love Laura's name, and how it's kept a secret.

Bad

  • I know that the story takes place from Howie's perspective, but I wish a little more insight was given as to what was going on in Laura's head.

Ugly

  • Nothing.

Media

Representation

Strong female character?PassLaura and her mother are both strong.
Bechdel test?PassLaura and her mother talk multiple times in the book.
Strong person of color character?PassThere are several kids from the black camp who are really helpful and wise.
Queer character?FailThere are no queer characters.

Links

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