Two Under Par: A Touching Middle Grade Novel About Stepfamily Life and a Miniature Golf King for Kids

by Kevin Henkes

Ten-year-old Wedge wants his old life back—the one that made sense. Instead, he has a brand-new stepfamily and a new house far away from his friends. Plus his bedroom window faces a seven-foot castle that marks the eighteenth hole of his stepfather's miniature golf course. Can Wedge really respect a man who wears a plastic crown and calls himself "King"? It's a lot to deal with, but Wedge may not have a choice. If he wants to be happy, he'll have to accept his new life—crazy as it is. “Reflects a great deal of sensitivity to emotional issues." — Booklist “Touching and funny.” — Publishers Weekly Multiple award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Kevin Henkes brings his insightful, gentle, real-world insight to middle grade novels, including:

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 1987

About the author

Kevin Henkes is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. As an illustrator he won the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon (2004). Two of his books were Newbery Medal Honor Books, Olive's Ocean in 2004 and The Year of Billy Miller in 2014. His picture book Waiting was named both a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and a Geisel Honor Book. It was only the second time any author has won that combination of awards.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three years after Return to Sender—Kevin Henkes's debut novel—came Two Under Par in 1987, and the plotting, characterization, and expression of emotion all show improvement. Life has recently gone askew for ten-year-old Wedge, who didn't have it easy even before the seismic shift. His father left before his birth and has never been in contact; the boy's mother, Sally, raised him almost by herself, with occasional assistance from his Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Larry. Wedge can't be certain what he's lost by not having a father, even as he feels the chasm inside himself daily. The recent upheaval in his life is intended to change that, however. With hardly a word of warning, Sally married Arthur "King" Simpson. A widower, King owns King Arthur's Camelot, a miniature golf course with a house on the property. King and his five-year-old son Andrew—a pair of blond, excitable string beans—live there. Now Wedge and Sally do too, and Wedge is not happy.

Sensitive about his pudginess, Wedge has never been easy to get close to. In the interest of helping the family integrate, Sally plans a getaway for just her and Andrew, leaving Wedge with King. Wedge resists bonding at every turn, making it clear to King that he isn't Wedge's father. King wants some version of father-son relationship with his stepson and he reaches out in good faith, but Wedge's anger toward him rises when Judith Mills, a girl from school, informs Wedge of a rumor that Sally had to marry King because she's carrying his child. Could this be the reason for the hurry-up wedding? Would Sally keep a secret of such magnitude from her son? Wedge doesn't want to believe it, but he's more wary of King than ever. Any little provocation could cause Wedge to snap.

That provocation, when it arrives, ends the bonding experiment. A disappointed Sally returns home with Andrew. She can't comprehend why Wedge refuses to accept the family she wants to build him after years of loneliness for them both. King is a good man, Sally says, and wants to be there for Wedge as his biological father declined to be. Holding onto the anger feels good, but Wedge knows he's longed for his father every day of his life. Can King, goofy as he is, be the father Wedge has waited for? Wedge needs a symbolic gesture to show King how he views him now, a gesture that doesn't end up being made until after this book's final page. But you can bet the days ahead will be different for Wedge and the family he didn't believe he wanted.

Two Under Par is more cohesive than Return to Sender, though it's not on the level of Kevin Henkes's later novels, some of which won major awards. Wedge is prickly, with flaws and imbalances like any real person, so his progress feels meaningful. The box of secret gifts for his father, a modest trove Wedge has accumulated since his early days in elementary school, is a particularly emotional component of the story. Saving these trinkets as presents for a man who likely will never come for him is a small heartbreak dealt with subtly in the book. I'd probably give Two Under Par two and half stars, and fans of Kevin Henkes should take the time to experience this early work of his. It's better than many authors' second novels.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wedge is ten and is atm young for his age. There's a very earnest theme of infancy and growing up throughout the book. I'm very glad that this family came together, otherwise I'd worry that the boy would turn into a bully. And look at that, see how the characters are so real to me I project their lives beyond the pages? That's what a good writer does, and even years ago Henkes was a good writer who understands kids. And yes, there's a bit of humor, too. I think it needs more appealing cover art and some interior illustrations, too, as it really is best for children transitioning away from picture-books.

[Mrs. Kucinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book although it was a bit predictable. It had a good story line about two families that merge as one. Like I said, it had a sweet ending but it was sort of obvious.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

So when I was in elementary school, around 1999/2000, I read this book. The only thing is, I had forgotten the title of it. All I remembered was that it was about a family who lived at a mini golf course.

I've thought about it for years but could never find it, so much so that I was questioning its existence, until recently when a lucky choice of keywords on Google helped me finally track it down. I immediately borrowed it from my library, and quickly read it.

Unfortunately, it was probably better off staying as a lost memory. This book isn't written very well, even for a kid. It's very clunky and doesn't flow in a way that a young reader would be able to follow easily. The story of Wedge is okay...as someone who has had multiple "step-figures" in their life, I can relate to his feelings.

But then the book just kinda ends, and while there is a slight sense of resolution building, you don't actually reach a proper conclusion. It's so abrupt that it's almost like there were pages or chapters missing.

Overall, I can see why this book isn't hailed as a classic. I'm glad that I found it because it's no longer making me question my sanity, but that's about it.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was a bit boring as a kid and I also thought that the main kid character was a bit selfish, wondered why he didn’t accept his new family, and didn’t change much by the end of this book. It also had way too much golf jargon for me, since I was only familiar with mini golf. I think this book is below par, not necessarily bad, but not great.

[Lovely Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

Wedge was not on board when his mom got married to King, a mini golf course owner. And he’s certainly not on board for her latest idea; that he and King spend a full week alone together to bond while she and King’s son go on a bonding camping trip.

All he wants his for his mom to come home, for King and Andrew to disappear, and for his ‘real’ dad to come home and make them a proper family.

Will Wedge be able to see through all of his abandonment hurt to realize the loving family that stands before him with open arms, yearning to love him like he desperately desires?

[Fenoose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is pathetic in my opinion. It is depressing and ridiculous. I am sorry let me rephrase myself it was not depressing because it did not even phase me. That`s my opinion.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a little boy who gets a new stp-family and isn't very happy about it. Great for exploring feelings

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a funny book

[Gunther · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is funny and easy to read but A Little young for 7th Grade

[Nicholas S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thais was a good book. That is all that I have to say.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassettes in 1997.

[Andrea Meals · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of books I read one chapter and I am done for. This book I held on to. It is about 10 year old Wedge and his mom merging with another family. Wedge hates it and then finally gets used to it!

[Noelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny book!!!!!!!

[Ming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best I've read, but short enough to finish quickly.

[Abymelek]

I think it was sad because wedge did not like his father but his father liked him.