Eaglebait

by Susan Coryell

Wardy Sprinks has been a loser for as long as he can remember. Freshman year in high school Wardy becomes the butt of malicious bullying. But, eventually, Wardy's life begins to change. First a charismatic science teacher becomes his mentor. Then, quiet Meg from biology lab seems friendly. And Big Vi takes on a life of her own. Most importantly, Wardy discovers his attitude makes a difference in how others treat him. If Wardy Sprinks doesn't feel like a loser, maybe he won't be one. Awards: NY Public Library "Books for the Teenage"International Reading Association "YA Choice"

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1989

About the author

As a free-lance writer, Susan has written for magazines, newspapers, chambers of commerce and professional journals. She also writes for several organizations at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, where she and her husband live. She is a member of Authors Guild, Virginia Writers and Smith Mountain Lake Writers.
A career educator, Susan has taught students from 7th grade through college-level. She has a BA degree from Carson-Newman College and a Masters from George Mason University. She is listed in several volumes of Who’s Who in Education and Who’s Who in Teaching. One of her favorite activities is to talk with budding writers at schools, writers’ conferences and workshops.
Susan has long been interested in Southern concerns about culture and society, as hard-felt, long-held feelings battle with modern ideas. The ghosts slipped in, to her surprise. Susan is the author of the award-winning young adult novel, Eaglebait.
When she is not writing, Susan enjoys boating, kayaking, golf and yoga. She and her husband love to travel, especially when grandchildren are involved.

Reviews

[Kara O'Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced story about Wardy, who has to learn to go forward through emotional trials. With his brilliant mind, he creates a dynamic laser, but in the process loses a very dear friend. He has to face the truth and discover what's most important before it's too late. I enjoyed this story. Wardy is an interesting, awkward, and loveable character, who has just enough spunk to make you smile. He learns a lot on his journey toward friendship, and I was rooting for him the whole time! I enjoyed his grandmother a great deal. She was his touchstone, and I loved that about this story!

[Jacqueline Seewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wardy Spinks has reached a low point in his fourteen years of life. He spent the past year at a military academy where he was consistently victimized by bullies. His dismissal would have been a relief if not for the fact that he now has to go to the local high school where bullies Jocko and Jimmo target him. Wardy’s self-esteem is at an all-time low. Even his younger sister Leslie picks on him. His parents are separating and have little interest in his troubles either. Wardy is fat, ugly, unathletic and wears glasses. He views himself as a misfit. However, Wardy loves science. He has been working on a laser and developing a fuel for it on his own.

The guidance counselor at Evanstown High School believes he is gifted and puts Wardy into g and t classes in spite of his poor grades. He shares biology and Latin with Meg Reilly a shy, pretty girl who becomes his lab partner and friend. Life seems to be improving. Better yet, a dynamic teacher takes over the bio class. Mr. Guterman, a German exchange teacher, recognizes Wardy’s abilities and accepts him as a lab assistant. However, even this creates a problem since the teacher is overbearing and domineering and tries to destroy Wary’s friendship with Meg.

Grandma Lou loves Wardy and helps him with good advice, arranging for him to get contact lenses, and acting as a catalyst to his independence while nurturing his self-confidence and maturity. She even helps him deal with the cyber-bullying he has suffered. I strongly recommend this novel to young adult readers. It is a very positive book while being realistic. The novel catches the reader from the beginning. An excellent read!

[Thomas McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long-time Professor of Education and Teacher Educator, as well as a former English teacher in middle and high school, I found Susan Coryell's Eaglebait timely and highly relevant for today's adolescent world where bullying in schools--especially now cyberbullying--is a source of real concern for teachers, parents, and (of course) students themselves. She gets inside the student culture in a realistic and compelling way as she tells her story about how some kids can be really cruel as they torture kids everywhere in the school environment--school buses to bathrooms to hallways to cafeterias; these misguide but all too often successful avenues to power in the student world are fascinating and terrifying to behold. Coryell knows how to use this problem as the problem her student "hero" must confront and overcome in the ongoing world of education.

[Elise Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wardy Spinks is a fourteen-year-old bully magnet with aspirations of becoming a scientist, but low self-esteem fixes his eyes on his oppressors and not on his dreams. After a candid conversation with his grandmother, Wardy decides to rise above the mocking and feelings of inferiority, which sets him on a path of self-discovery.

Susan Coryel creates a very real protagonist who at times I wanted to shake some sense into and at other times wrap in a congratulatory hug. "Eaglebait" is cited by various anti-bullying associations, which caused me to assume bullying would be the crux of this story. I was wrong. This story is about growing up, pursuing your dreams, and learning to prioritize what is truly important in life. I’m very glad this timeless, well-written book is back in print.

[Linda Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eagelebait is about bullycide and so much more. This is a story of self-absorbed parents who don't really know their child until life-changing events bring their son, Wardy into clear focus.

Wardy Sparks is an all too real, nerdy but scientifically gifted, fifteen-year-old boy. His lack of self-respect and parental support make him an easy target as he slides into the all too real experiences of being harassed during his freshman year of high school.

Told from his point of view, Wardy is grasped by several scenarios - being kicked out of boarding school, his parent's separation,
the brilliant and intimidating science teacher who has predatory designs on Wardy's brilliant scientific project, and a serious crush on a girl who will no longer talk to him.

With guidance from his wise grandmother, Wardy learns and practices courage as he sets and honors personal boundaries. He is no longer Eaglebait to his classmates, but a young man with clear focus and a bright future.

As a parent I found Eaglebait to be heartfelt and enlightening. Susan Coryell has written a story that is accessible to a wide audience. Wardy Sparks is a real hero. I won't soon forget him.

Linda Kay Simmons
Author of Cahas Mountain, Lightning Shall Strike, Lamb on a Tombstone and Pissant and Cinderella

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Wardy. He's overweight, not athletic, a science nerd, and his parents are not paying any attention to their high school freshman. He is bullied both on line and in person. But after a heart to heart chat with his grandmother things start to change for this brilliant scientist.
This was an enjoyable read with an unexpected resolution. I recommend this book for young teens and would hope that parents and teachers use it as a discussion starter to better understand the incredible teens in their life.