Shoulder the Sky

by Lesley Choyce

Winner of the 2003 Ann Connor Brimer Award, short-listed for the 2004 White Pine Award

Martin Emerson's family, friends, and even his therapist have trouble figuring him out. He never showed much of a reaction to the death of his mother, and his behaviour of late has been getting more and more bizarre.

And yet, his website – Emerso.com – has made him something of a cult figure to followers who believe that, if not having all the right answers, "Emerso" at least has all the right questions.
Shoulder the Sky is a rarity among young adult novels – it challenges the reader with philosophical thought and complex observations.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Canadian Literature

Library Binding

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Lesley Choyce is a novelist and poet living at Lawrencetown Beach, Nova Scotia. He is the author of more than 80 books for adults, teens and children. He teaches in the English Department and Transition Year Program at Dalhousie University. He is a year-round surfer and founding member of the 1990s spoken word rock band, The SurfPoets. Choyce also runs Pottersfield Press, a small literary publishing house and hosted the national TV show, Off The Page, for many years. His books have been translated into Spanish, French, German and Danish and he has been awarded the Dartmouth Book Award and the Ann Connor Brimer Award.

Lesley Choyce was born in New Jersey in 1951 and moved to Canada in 1978 and became a citizen.

His YA novels concern things like skateboarding, surfing, racism, environmental issues, organ transplants, and rock bands.

Reviews

[Betty Vanderwielen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin's (the main character) voice was authentic and engaging. I like the way the book was laid out, with always interesting tidbits from Emerso interspersed throughout. Martin's way of handling (or ignoring) grief, though decidedly unconventional, came across as convincing, as was the very different but understandable responses to grief of his father and sister.

[Donna Burtwistle-Popplewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent novel about Martin Emerson, an inquisitive young man, who after the death of his mother, is exposed to counselling to deal with his lack of grief. When Martin creates a website dedicated to finding answers for philosophical questions of life and death, he begins a journey towards healing.

[Golden Secondary School]

I thought this was a really good book, it's very well-written, and talks about the difficulties in dealing with a death, and moving on. It also shows the fact that mental illness and emotional stress are more common than you may think.

[kt · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my favourite book it feels so special to be able to read it.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Shoulder the Sky" is a fascinating look at a teenager and his family who are dealing with the tragic loss of a wife and mother. Martin Emerson has set up firewalls around his heart and mind, deadening his pain while his father has become "invisible" and his sister rebellious. Giving voice to his deepest thoughts on his website-Emerso.com -Martin also begins seeing Dave, a psychologist with an innovative approach to exorcising his troubling and unusual behaviour. This is a story of a journey, of pain, of mourning but with the promise of hope and healing.

The emotionally-charged plot takes the reader deep into the heart of a family suffering from the loss of a loved one. Martin tries to ignore his mother's death and go on with life as normal, although his bizarre behaviour speaks of a boy that has not mourned and won't heal until he does. His father hides his suffering in work and television, ignoring his children's misery while Lily Emerson buries her trauma under anger and defiance. Each one must mourn to heal; to live life again and not just sit on the sidelines.

Martin uses Emerso.com as a vehicle to express his personal thoughts, giving advice and tidbits of logic and insight to curious minds that become a cult following. It is this website that gives the reader an understanding and appreciation for Martin's struggle and his grief journey. Cleverly the writer uses his opinion on painters, philosophers, the cosmos, God and his quirky interests to draw the reader into a view of his world; one that becomes more intense as he faces his fear and loss of the mother he adored.

Martin Emerson is a highly intelligent, well-adjusted geek who's reserved, a loner like his friend Darrell (the Egg Man) a hacker who's smart in math and languages. Although Martin is attracted to Kathy Binghurst a confident, average-looking and bright teen he finds it difficult to talk to her; tongue-tied when expressing his feelings . Liking good-looking boys Kathy yearns to date popular, charming and amiable Scott Rutledge, but depends on Martin for support and encouragement especially when the boy of her dreams is killed. Lesley Choyce's characters are well-developed, realistic and unforgettable adding to the drama and emotional energy of the story.

I liked " Shoulder the Sky" with its philosophical ideas and complex observations that offers food for thought.

[Wade, Rosario, and Marco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marco read this one for a book report at school.