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Skate
There’s not much keeping Ian McDermott in Spokane, but at least it’s home. He’s been raising Sammy practically on his own ever since their mom disappeared again on one of her binges. They get by, finding just enough to eat and plenty of time to skateboard.
But at Morrison High, Ian is getting the distinct, chilling feeling that the administration wants him and his board and his punked hair gone. Simply gone. And when his temper finally blows–he actually takes a swing at Coach Florence and knocks him cold–Ian knows he’s got to grab Sammy and skate. Run.
Their search for the one relative they can think of, their only hope, leads Ian and Sammy across the entire state of Washington in the cold and rain–and straight into a shocking discovery. Through it all, Ian knows exactly what he has to protect Sammy, and let no one split up their family of two. Michael Harmon tells a nuanced and unflinching story of wilderness survival, the fierce bond between brothers, and teen rage–and redemption.
But at Morrison High, Ian is getting the distinct, chilling feeling that the administration wants him and his board and his punked hair gone. Simply gone. And when his temper finally blows–he actually takes a swing at Coach Florence and knocks him cold–Ian knows he’s got to grab Sammy and skate. Run.
Their search for the one relative they can think of, their only hope, leads Ian and Sammy across the entire state of Washington in the cold and rain–and straight into a shocking discovery. Through it all, Ian knows exactly what he has to protect Sammy, and let no one split up their family of two. Michael Harmon tells a nuanced and unflinching story of wilderness survival, the fierce bond between brothers, and teen rage–and redemption.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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674 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
February 25, 2009
This book is amazing. You will never guess what is going to happen next. You thinkyou know but you never will.
October 9, 2015
Do you like skateboarding and violence? Well then, Skate is the book for you. Skate is a realistic fiction book and is full of action. I picked this book up because I thought it would be just about skating but I realized that there is more to this book than kick flips. I would say that this is probably the best book I've ever read.
The setting of my book is an urban city, which 15 year old Ian McDerrmott
lives in. Ian is a regular kid to his friends, but to his teachers, he is a scumbag skater who wears all black, has no father, and has a crack addicted mother. Ian isn't going to take anything, from students, his mom's boyfriends she brings home, or teachers. He will talk back or even fight for his way. This has annoyed the Gym teacher and the Principle a lot. The theme of my story is that no matter how hard you try, you can never run away from you're problems.
The perspective in the story is first person, and is told by Ian. Ian faces many problems in the story. In the beginning of the story, Tony Freeman is making fun of Ian and saying the Ian still has a crush on his ex-girlfriend Veronica. Ian responds with a couple of words I can't say because I'll get a detention, but the Gym teacher catches Ian and forces him to do 50 push-ups. About halfway through the push-ups, Ian refuses to do anymore. He gets a detention, then leaves school to pick up Sammy, his little brother, they go skating. They eventually approach a restricted area and the guard asks them to leave. Ian is ready to leave, but Sammy refuses to leave and dry flips over the stairs. The security guard try's to grab him but Sammy escapes and goes home with Ian.
Sammy skates home and Ian goes to the store. As soon as Ian is home he greeted by his teacher. His teacher is sitting on the couch with his mother's crack pipe on the table, as his teacher, Ms. Veer acts like it isn't even there, but Ian has a weird feeling. The next day Ian goes to school as if it was an average day, but is forced to go to Mr. Spencer's (principle) office. Spencer argues with him about many things bc of all the bad things he's done at school. He tells Ian that he is "cleaning up the school" and that he doesn't need Ian's presence there to make him look bad. Ian is enraged and at gym the teacher orders him to do push-ups. Ian says "No." So then the gym teacher says "Do it or else" so then Ian curses the smackerdoodles out of him and as soon as Ian is about to exit the teacher grabs him. Ian then PUNCHES him. And not some weak punch, it knocks the teacher out. Ian is then forced to leave the school. He picks up his little brother and they run away, trying to find his dad.
The first person point of view effects the story by making it be told in a more personal and realistic type of story. A major event in the story that changed everything was when after Ian and Sammy hear that there father was in jail this entire time. After they are about to leave, guards tell them to go inside, because they can swear they've saw Ian's face before. As soon as they are in the prison, they meet a the owners whose name is Samuel McDerrmott. The guards say they recognized the resemblance between the two brothers. They eat and ask questions through the time that they barely have. Then Ian notices a picture with a bill next to it. The picture is of Samuels new family. The bill is of the fine that Samuel must pay because of Ian's "accident". Ian begins to think really deep about the picture of the other family. How would you feel if the only person you could escape to already had other kids he needed to worry about? They argue and Samuel admits that Ian has to be sent to juvy. Then this is were the dark side of Ian comes in. After punching the guard and kick flipping down the stairs, Ian and Sammy escape the prison.
This was probably the best book I ever read because it was about skating and true brothers. I like the way the author made it seem like you had everything figured out, but you really didn't have a clue. The final words of the book are "Ian, can you call me Samuel from now on?" Sammy said looking in my eyes. I couldn't help it, so I grinned and said "Let's get something to eat, Samuel." I was satisfied because this seemed like an amazing ending to an outstanding book.
The setting of my book is an urban city, which 15 year old Ian McDerrmott
lives in. Ian is a regular kid to his friends, but to his teachers, he is a scumbag skater who wears all black, has no father, and has a crack addicted mother. Ian isn't going to take anything, from students, his mom's boyfriends she brings home, or teachers. He will talk back or even fight for his way. This has annoyed the Gym teacher and the Principle a lot. The theme of my story is that no matter how hard you try, you can never run away from you're problems.
The perspective in the story is first person, and is told by Ian. Ian faces many problems in the story. In the beginning of the story, Tony Freeman is making fun of Ian and saying the Ian still has a crush on his ex-girlfriend Veronica. Ian responds with a couple of words I can't say because I'll get a detention, but the Gym teacher catches Ian and forces him to do 50 push-ups. About halfway through the push-ups, Ian refuses to do anymore. He gets a detention, then leaves school to pick up Sammy, his little brother, they go skating. They eventually approach a restricted area and the guard asks them to leave. Ian is ready to leave, but Sammy refuses to leave and dry flips over the stairs. The security guard try's to grab him but Sammy escapes and goes home with Ian.
Sammy skates home and Ian goes to the store. As soon as Ian is home he greeted by his teacher. His teacher is sitting on the couch with his mother's crack pipe on the table, as his teacher, Ms. Veer acts like it isn't even there, but Ian has a weird feeling. The next day Ian goes to school as if it was an average day, but is forced to go to Mr. Spencer's (principle) office. Spencer argues with him about many things bc of all the bad things he's done at school. He tells Ian that he is "cleaning up the school" and that he doesn't need Ian's presence there to make him look bad. Ian is enraged and at gym the teacher orders him to do push-ups. Ian says "No." So then the gym teacher says "Do it or else" so then Ian curses the smackerdoodles out of him and as soon as Ian is about to exit the teacher grabs him. Ian then PUNCHES him. And not some weak punch, it knocks the teacher out. Ian is then forced to leave the school. He picks up his little brother and they run away, trying to find his dad.
The first person point of view effects the story by making it be told in a more personal and realistic type of story. A major event in the story that changed everything was when after Ian and Sammy hear that there father was in jail this entire time. After they are about to leave, guards tell them to go inside, because they can swear they've saw Ian's face before. As soon as they are in the prison, they meet a the owners whose name is Samuel McDerrmott. The guards say they recognized the resemblance between the two brothers. They eat and ask questions through the time that they barely have. Then Ian notices a picture with a bill next to it. The picture is of Samuels new family. The bill is of the fine that Samuel must pay because of Ian's "accident". Ian begins to think really deep about the picture of the other family. How would you feel if the only person you could escape to already had other kids he needed to worry about? They argue and Samuel admits that Ian has to be sent to juvy. Then this is were the dark side of Ian comes in. After punching the guard and kick flipping down the stairs, Ian and Sammy escape the prison.
This was probably the best book I ever read because it was about skating and true brothers. I like the way the author made it seem like you had everything figured out, but you really didn't have a clue. The final words of the book are "Ian, can you call me Samuel from now on?" Sammy said looking in my eyes. I couldn't help it, so I grinned and said "Let's get something to eat, Samuel." I was satisfied because this seemed like an amazing ending to an outstanding book.
May 12, 2010
Reviewed: July 26, 2009
Review:
This book, Skate by Michael Harmon, has utterly swept me off my feet. Not only is it utterly tragic, but it's something that on one way or another, everyone can relate to. Things are never perfect at home & if someone dares say to me that they are or ever were, they're definitly lying. Fights, drug-addicted parents, parents that weren't there, only one parent; regardless what, it takes a tole on both the parent(s) & the children.
That was the type of thing that happened to 15 year-old Ian McDermott of Spokane. His mother was a drug addict & his father was never around. Sammy McDermott, Ian's 9 year-old brother, was slow at catching onto things, got hot headed at times, & often reacted childish. Why? He was born a drug baby. His mother was addicted all during pregancy.
Because of this Ian & Sammy's father, Samuel, left. He couldn't stand to look at his wife, as much as he loved her, & in all respects, left because of the children, the drugs, & close to death experiences.
However, Ian's trouble doesn't just end at home. The entire distinct wants him gone & he knows it. All he think sabout day to day is trying to find enough to eat & time to skateboard with his brother. But, one day, it goes a step farther, too far. When he finally blows, losing his temper, he takes a blow at Coach Florence, knocking him cold. He knows from then on to do the only thing to keep his brother safe: Run.
Whilst running, the only relative they could think of, & their only hope, was their father, who was across the entire state of Washington. Ian was much older than a 15 year-old when he did all he did for his brother, helping his brother from a sickness caught from being in the cold, the dirt, the rain, & all sorts of weather, he is more of a father than his own father.
This book will send your emotions on a world of hell. I cried several times during the book because I could actually understand & in some ways, I could relate. It seems everyone's out to get Ian & in the end, it turns out alright. He finds that the law will not only give you hell when you break it, but fighting it, you can help yourself, too.
Ian McDermott got what he wanted, the chance of a real family & his brother safe. However, he stayed in Spokane, while his brother went to Wala Wala to stay with their father, safely. Ian felt the last thing he had to do was to help his mother.
Skate Will certainly give a person the show that life isn't just about perfection or education, it's about what happens when a person lacks family & what it's actually crave having somewhere nice to sleep at night & the nice eletronics that the average person takes for grandet day to day.
Review:
This book, Skate by Michael Harmon, has utterly swept me off my feet. Not only is it utterly tragic, but it's something that on one way or another, everyone can relate to. Things are never perfect at home & if someone dares say to me that they are or ever were, they're definitly lying. Fights, drug-addicted parents, parents that weren't there, only one parent; regardless what, it takes a tole on both the parent(s) & the children.
That was the type of thing that happened to 15 year-old Ian McDermott of Spokane. His mother was a drug addict & his father was never around. Sammy McDermott, Ian's 9 year-old brother, was slow at catching onto things, got hot headed at times, & often reacted childish. Why? He was born a drug baby. His mother was addicted all during pregancy.
Because of this Ian & Sammy's father, Samuel, left. He couldn't stand to look at his wife, as much as he loved her, & in all respects, left because of the children, the drugs, & close to death experiences.
However, Ian's trouble doesn't just end at home. The entire distinct wants him gone & he knows it. All he think sabout day to day is trying to find enough to eat & time to skateboard with his brother. But, one day, it goes a step farther, too far. When he finally blows, losing his temper, he takes a blow at Coach Florence, knocking him cold. He knows from then on to do the only thing to keep his brother safe: Run.
Whilst running, the only relative they could think of, & their only hope, was their father, who was across the entire state of Washington. Ian was much older than a 15 year-old when he did all he did for his brother, helping his brother from a sickness caught from being in the cold, the dirt, the rain, & all sorts of weather, he is more of a father than his own father.
This book will send your emotions on a world of hell. I cried several times during the book because I could actually understand & in some ways, I could relate. It seems everyone's out to get Ian & in the end, it turns out alright. He finds that the law will not only give you hell when you break it, but fighting it, you can help yourself, too.
Ian McDermott got what he wanted, the chance of a real family & his brother safe. However, he stayed in Spokane, while his brother went to Wala Wala to stay with their father, safely. Ian felt the last thing he had to do was to help his mother.
Skate Will certainly give a person the show that life isn't just about perfection or education, it's about what happens when a person lacks family & what it's actually crave having somewhere nice to sleep at night & the nice eletronics that the average person takes for grandet day to day.
January 9, 2013
Skate by Michael Harmon, follows young skater Ian McDermott. While being a junior in highschool and juggling skateboarding with school work, Ian is also raising his younger brother, Sammy, while his Mom is out on her drinking binges. Both Sammy and Ian skate with each other during the free time. At school, Ian is hated by the majority of his teachers. He ends up punching and knocking out his coach. The stress end up being too much for him, which leaves him with only one choice; leave with Sammy.
Being a skater myself, it is easy to relate to Skate. It’s a perfect example of what the average skateboarder has to deal with. Although, even if you are not a skater, Skate is still a relatable book. The book relates to skateboarders just as it does to non-skaters. It addresses the bond between brothers, redemption and teen rage. Skate is the perfect combination of situations which makes it relatable to any reader, I would highly recommend this to anybody in search of an adventurous book.
Being a skater myself, it is easy to relate to Skate. It’s a perfect example of what the average skateboarder has to deal with. Although, even if you are not a skater, Skate is still a relatable book. The book relates to skateboarders just as it does to non-skaters. It addresses the bond between brothers, redemption and teen rage. Skate is the perfect combination of situations which makes it relatable to any reader, I would highly recommend this to anybody in search of an adventurous book.
November 11, 2012
Reviewed by Mechele R. Dillard for TeensReadToo.com
Fifteen-year-old Ian McDermott already has a tough life: He's never really known his father, his mother is a drug addict and spends most of her time on the streets, and he is left caring for his younger brother, Sammy. What he needs from "the system" is some help; what he gets is placed on a list of kids who the principal wants out of his school as soon as possible. And, when he takes a swing at Coach Florence and breaks his jaw, he knows that the principal is going to get his wish. But, Ian cannot go to juvie--who will take care of Sammy? Their mom is out of the question, and if Sammy goes into foster care, Ian knows they will be apart at least three years, until Ian turns eighteen. There is only one option: They have to find their dad.
The last address Ian has for Samuel McDermott is in Walla Walla--quite a walk from Spokane. But they have no choice, so they hit the road before the cops can arrest Ian for assault. Through the cold, the rain, and many nights of hunger, the brothers trudge forward, dodging the authorities, determined to find their father. But, when they finally arrive, will the address prove to be their saving grace, or will their dreams be shattered in this impractical--maybe impossible--quest?
Michael Harmon's first novel hits the mark with its realistic portrayal of teen rage, drug culture, and the bond that exists between brothers. He manages to have his characters speak in voices that are both hilarious and heartbreaking, never taking the reader so far down that hope is lost, but also never reaching for solutions which render the story unbelievable: "Samuel McDermott or not, I was Ian McDermott, and the way I saw life was the way I'd live life" (p. 167).
Fifteen-year-old Ian McDermott already has a tough life: He's never really known his father, his mother is a drug addict and spends most of her time on the streets, and he is left caring for his younger brother, Sammy. What he needs from "the system" is some help; what he gets is placed on a list of kids who the principal wants out of his school as soon as possible. And, when he takes a swing at Coach Florence and breaks his jaw, he knows that the principal is going to get his wish. But, Ian cannot go to juvie--who will take care of Sammy? Their mom is out of the question, and if Sammy goes into foster care, Ian knows they will be apart at least three years, until Ian turns eighteen. There is only one option: They have to find their dad.
The last address Ian has for Samuel McDermott is in Walla Walla--quite a walk from Spokane. But they have no choice, so they hit the road before the cops can arrest Ian for assault. Through the cold, the rain, and many nights of hunger, the brothers trudge forward, dodging the authorities, determined to find their father. But, when they finally arrive, will the address prove to be their saving grace, or will their dreams be shattered in this impractical--maybe impossible--quest?
Michael Harmon's first novel hits the mark with its realistic portrayal of teen rage, drug culture, and the bond that exists between brothers. He manages to have his characters speak in voices that are both hilarious and heartbreaking, never taking the reader so far down that hope is lost, but also never reaching for solutions which render the story unbelievable: "Samuel McDermott or not, I was Ian McDermott, and the way I saw life was the way I'd live life" (p. 167).
November 3, 2010
The reason I chose this book i thought it was about skating but it turned into a whole different story and i liked it. This book is about a kid named Ian Mcdermmont his mom almost abbonded him so he now has to take care of his brother. Ian is scruggling in school yelling at teachers, he just got suspened because he punched his gym teacher in the face. He panicked and they ran away from home to try to find there dad in Oregon. Ian and his brother Sammy are almost to there dad and Sammy starts getting a Fever so Ian starts to panick and a sttanger walks up and give a pill to sammy the makes him feel better. Once Sammy gets better they start walking again and get to there dad. They both find out he is the head warden at one of the biggest jails in the state. So Ian tells his dad his problems and helps both of them. there is a big meeting between ian his dad the princepals and ians lawyer and counselor to help decide whats happens to ian. They come to an agreement that he gets to go on probation 3 months in juvie and has to the other gym leader is his foster mom because his mom is on drugs to much
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March 26, 2010this book is about this kid his name is Ian he is a spohmore at Morrison high and he skateboards. He is one of the cool popular kids at his school that has a puck atitude and get all the girls. For his family life Hes dad leaves faraway and has ever been hurd of for awhile and for his mother she ran way becouse of one of there many fights he also has a little brother named sammy that he has to take care of becouse he has no one else that will. one day at Morrison high his Coach "Coach Florence" gets him realy angry and Ian takes on swing at him and knocks him out cold. So now he and sammy and his skateboard has to get out of where hes liveing now and go find somewhere else to live and they have to over come alot of strugles like not very much to no food to eat and a not very safe place to sleep at night. I think this book was a very good book and should be read.
July 6, 2018
3.5 because the ending annoyed me slightly and kinda didnt make sense.
November 4, 2011
I thought it was an amazing book. It was a story of a 15 year old skater name Ian Mcdermont and his little brother Sammy Mcdermont. Their mom is a big drug addict and is almost never home forcing Ian to raise sammy himself. The administration wants him out of there school and have him by the neck. When something goes wrong him and Sammy have to leave Spokane and find the only other relative they can think of. It becomes a journey that leads them acroos the entire state of washington. To then find a very shocking discovery. It was one of the most amazing books ive ever read and i highly recommend it
April 26, 2012
I really like this book. I've read
by him, and when I saw this one, I thought it was a new book, but it is his first novel. The story was gritty, and his description of Ian's life is something every teacher needs to read. It puts life in perspective. I found the journey cross-country a little unrealistic, but the love between the brothers makes the novel truly inspiring.
by him, and when I saw this one, I thought it was a new book, but it is his first novel. The story was gritty, and his description of Ian's life is something every teacher needs to read. It puts life in perspective. I found the journey cross-country a little unrealistic, but the love between the brothers makes the novel truly inspiring.April 4, 2019
I give this book a 5 out of 5 rating because this is a novel about a 15 year old boy who has a drugged up mother and can’t take care of her boys anymore, so Ian takes responsibility into his own hands and takes care of his little brother Sammy. Later on in the book Ian and Sammy run away from there home town because Ian did a lot of bad stuff like he hit a teacher, “Coach Florence”. Then they start to try and find their father Samuel McDermott. So what I like about “Skate” is that Ian has to learn about responsibilities because their mom isn’t around anymore to take care of them. I like that Ian is smart but he made a lot of bad decisions but then near the end made better decisions. I loved the plot as well, it was very good. At first I didn’t like Coach Schmidt but then she came around. I hated Principal Spence because he takes out kids that are not “smart” enough for his school.
April 4, 2019
Why I enjoyed “Skate” It had a great story plot The things that made it a great book is you can’t predict what was going to happen because it has a moving plot. I find that “Skate” reminds me of myself somewhat. What I didn’t like is that the mom was doing drugs in the story. The book was realistic because drug use in the home happens a lot in the real world. Some principals in the school system are corrupt only care about the job, not the students. I can relate to this because my principal would only suspend me instead of trying to help me, just like Ian.
April 5, 2019
Skate by Michael Harmon is an amazing book. I liked how Ian did what he had to do to protect Sammy and keep him safe even though he got in trouble along the way, I also liked how realistic the book was with the violence, the drugs. I liked how the book was easy to read and listen to. I recommend this book anybody that likes violence and drugs.
March 21, 2018
A good novel for an angsty teenager.
January 11, 2021
Made me cry within the first four chapters
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February 13, 2021pretty good talks about teenagers in high school and stuff
April 18, 2022
I WANT TO READ THISSSSSS!
May 14, 2022
hey i liked this one it was pretty good
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July 2, 2023Hard book to read but good
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December 30, 2023Really enjoyed this book as a kid
February 16, 2024
Consistently engaging and interesting premise + nice showcase of a bond between brothers, but this could've been so much more. 7/10
December 27, 2024
I read this book in middle school and I loved it. It made feel the feels to the point of crying. I don't think it will hit any different as an adult.
October 4, 2019
Skate was a good book, it's a story about a boy named Ian and his little brother named Sammy. They struggle together because of their crack-addicted mother. They find out that their father is upstate and both runaway and go on a journey to find their dad.
October 14, 2012
This isn't a genre I read a lot of, but I enjoyed this book. It isn't what I would call a top-knotch book, but it was compelling enough to make me finish it in a hurry. (To find out what happens to the main character--not because I wanted it to be over fast. )
The story is about two brothers: fifteen year-old Ian and ten year-old Sammy. Ever since their father left them with their drug addict mother, Ian has been taking care of Sammy. (He picks him up from school, helps him with his homework, forges the mom's signatures on papers that get sent home, scrounges for their dinner...) When Sammy has a problem in school, his teachers talk to Ian because the mom is impossible to get a hold of. She's not home very often, yet Sammy checks each room every day when he comes home from school. Ian, on the other hand, has given up on her a long time ago. When she does come home, she usually has a new (drug-dealer) boyfriend with her. They're never friendly. On top of all this, Ian has his own problems at school. He's an outsider among his peers (a skater with "punked hair" and earrings) because he doesn't want to fit in with them and he doesn't care about the sports program. He's been flagged by the administration as a problem kid, and knows that the majority of the faculty wants him gone. When he gets into trouble, he knows he can't afford to be arrested--he doesn't want Sammy to be placed in foster care. So, the two set off on a journey to find help.
I kept reading because I just didn't know how the story would end. I could imagine several possibilities, but I really couldn't tell until it happened. In that sense, this was really good story-telling. I didn't find it predictable. Yet at the same time, it wasn't a deus ex machina ending--it didn't come from nowhere. There were parts along their journey where the story sagged. I'm not sure what it was. Maybe a tad bit monotonous? I can't put my finger on it. I just read through those parts faster. This is a quick read, anyways.
I think the author did really well with characterizing the brothers--especially Ian, who is the 1st person narrator. If anything, I would've liked to learn more about Ian's life and the things happening to him, especially a little bit of what happens after the ending. (But I can see why the author doesn't include that. The story has to end sometime...) Ian has attitude/anger problems and expresses himself with violence too often, but his commitment to his brother is very real. Sometimes Sammy hates him, because Sammy thinks he's just trying to take him away from their mom. At times, Ian lets this get to him, and other times he doesn't. They have their fair share of fights (both being put into situations that demand more maturity of both of them than they have). Ian learns some lessons along the way, but it isn't in a condescending way.
In the end, I enjoyed this story but probably won't re-read it. If the author wrote another story about Ian, I'd read it! (I'm assuming he hasn't already, I haven't checked.)
The story is about two brothers: fifteen year-old Ian and ten year-old Sammy. Ever since their father left them with their drug addict mother, Ian has been taking care of Sammy. (He picks him up from school, helps him with his homework, forges the mom's signatures on papers that get sent home, scrounges for their dinner...) When Sammy has a problem in school, his teachers talk to Ian because the mom is impossible to get a hold of. She's not home very often, yet Sammy checks each room every day when he comes home from school. Ian, on the other hand, has given up on her a long time ago. When she does come home, she usually has a new (drug-dealer) boyfriend with her. They're never friendly. On top of all this, Ian has his own problems at school. He's an outsider among his peers (a skater with "punked hair" and earrings) because he doesn't want to fit in with them and he doesn't care about the sports program. He's been flagged by the administration as a problem kid, and knows that the majority of the faculty wants him gone. When he gets into trouble, he knows he can't afford to be arrested--he doesn't want Sammy to be placed in foster care. So, the two set off on a journey to find help.
I kept reading because I just didn't know how the story would end. I could imagine several possibilities, but I really couldn't tell until it happened. In that sense, this was really good story-telling. I didn't find it predictable. Yet at the same time, it wasn't a deus ex machina ending--it didn't come from nowhere. There were parts along their journey where the story sagged. I'm not sure what it was. Maybe a tad bit monotonous? I can't put my finger on it. I just read through those parts faster. This is a quick read, anyways.
I think the author did really well with characterizing the brothers--especially Ian, who is the 1st person narrator. If anything, I would've liked to learn more about Ian's life and the things happening to him, especially a little bit of what happens after the ending. (But I can see why the author doesn't include that. The story has to end sometime...) Ian has attitude/anger problems and expresses himself with violence too often, but his commitment to his brother is very real. Sometimes Sammy hates him, because Sammy thinks he's just trying to take him away from their mom. At times, Ian lets this get to him, and other times he doesn't. They have their fair share of fights (both being put into situations that demand more maturity of both of them than they have). Ian learns some lessons along the way, but it isn't in a condescending way.
In the end, I enjoyed this story but probably won't re-read it. If the author wrote another story about Ian, I'd read it! (I'm assuming he hasn't already, I haven't checked.)
November 4, 2015
Do you like skateboarding and mild violence? If you do this is the book for you. This book is realistic fiction and it has a lot of action. My overall opinion of the book is that it is the one of the best books I have ever read because it is very interesting. When I checked this book out I thought it would be about skateboarding and tricks, but boy was I wrong this book has more to it than skateboarding.
The setting of the book is at a urban city, where 15 years old Ian McDerrmott lives in. He is a normal kid to his friends, but to his educators despicable person who dresses in all black clothing. He has no dad, also he has a cocaine addicted mom. He doesn't take any thing from students, his mom's boyfriends, or his educators. He will do anything to get his way with something. That annoys his gym teacher and the principle so many times. The theme of the story is that no matter how hard you try, you can't run away from your problems.
The first person point of view is told by Ian. It affects the story by Ian telling what happened in the book in his own words. The major symbol of the book is that no matter how hard you try, you can never run away from your problems. The title relates to the book because Ian loves to skateboard. That is the only thing he does as one of his occupations.
An interesting thing I learned from this book was that no matter how hard you try you can't run away from your problems. If I were the author I would have written the book the same exact way the author did. I was surprised when he talks back to his educators. I like the way the author made him seem bad in the book by saying he talks back to the educators.
I will rate this book five stars because it is one of the greatest books I have read. Also it has a lot of action and it has mild violence. I would recommend this book to people who love skateboarding, action and mild violence. So remember Ian McDerrmott is a student in an urban neighborhood, who tries to run away from his problems.
The setting of the book is at a urban city, where 15 years old Ian McDerrmott lives in. He is a normal kid to his friends, but to his educators despicable person who dresses in all black clothing. He has no dad, also he has a cocaine addicted mom. He doesn't take any thing from students, his mom's boyfriends, or his educators. He will do anything to get his way with something. That annoys his gym teacher and the principle so many times. The theme of the story is that no matter how hard you try, you can't run away from your problems.
The first person point of view is told by Ian. It affects the story by Ian telling what happened in the book in his own words. The major symbol of the book is that no matter how hard you try, you can never run away from your problems. The title relates to the book because Ian loves to skateboard. That is the only thing he does as one of his occupations.
An interesting thing I learned from this book was that no matter how hard you try you can't run away from your problems. If I were the author I would have written the book the same exact way the author did. I was surprised when he talks back to his educators. I like the way the author made him seem bad in the book by saying he talks back to the educators.
I will rate this book five stars because it is one of the greatest books I have read. Also it has a lot of action and it has mild violence. I would recommend this book to people who love skateboarding, action and mild violence. So remember Ian McDerrmott is a student in an urban neighborhood, who tries to run away from his problems.
April 12, 2016
I tried to read this books as a teenager and now as a young adult I am coming back to finish it. It was due back to the library and I never checked it out till now. College sort of ruined my love of reading for several years.
I found this book very easy to read. It wasn't one of those books where I had to force myself to read at all. The characters were easy to relate to in the way that the main character is a skateboarder who doesn't fit in and he loves his family. He is also very impulsive at times which is understandable given his circumstances.
I liked how unpredictable this book was. A lot of books for the younger set can be fairly easy to guess what will happen and have overly sappy endings. This book isn't like that which I was very glad. I always get annoyed at books where the hero gets away with too much or all the sudden all their problems are "magically better." This book feels more true to life in that aspect though I won't spoil anything.
I also found it neat that it is set in my home state and he references to cities and towns is accurate. Also they mention a test called the WAEE which in real life is the WASL which I had to take when I was younger. This book also reminds me a lot of highschool administrators in my life and how corrupted and unfair they can be. It was therapeutic to read at times because I don't feel like the only one. Even now that I am grown, the mistreatment I faced from of school employees still affects me.
I would have rated this book higher but at times the writing did frustrate me. I did not like that with some of the dialogue I would lose track of whom was speaking. Also there was one paragraph where the writer uses the sentence "our map sucked" twice. I know a lot of the phrasing had to do with how a teenager would put things but that felt kinda sloppy to me.
I found this book very easy to read. It wasn't one of those books where I had to force myself to read at all. The characters were easy to relate to in the way that the main character is a skateboarder who doesn't fit in and he loves his family. He is also very impulsive at times which is understandable given his circumstances.
I liked how unpredictable this book was. A lot of books for the younger set can be fairly easy to guess what will happen and have overly sappy endings. This book isn't like that which I was very glad. I always get annoyed at books where the hero gets away with too much or all the sudden all their problems are "magically better." This book feels more true to life in that aspect though I won't spoil anything.
I also found it neat that it is set in my home state and he references to cities and towns is accurate. Also they mention a test called the WAEE which in real life is the WASL which I had to take when I was younger. This book also reminds me a lot of highschool administrators in my life and how corrupted and unfair they can be. It was therapeutic to read at times because I don't feel like the only one. Even now that I am grown, the mistreatment I faced from of school employees still affects me.
I would have rated this book higher but at times the writing did frustrate me. I did not like that with some of the dialogue I would lose track of whom was speaking. Also there was one paragraph where the writer uses the sentence "our map sucked" twice. I know a lot of the phrasing had to do with how a teenager would put things but that felt kinda sloppy to me.
October 1, 2015
Skate by Michael Harmon is a heart-warming suspenseful realistic fiction that you should definitely read! The main character, Ian, is not afraid of anything. He raises his little brother, Sammy. He feeds him, helps him with his homework, he does everything for him because his mom can't. Ian is the kind of character that everyone in the book hates or loves. There is no in between. I "rooted" for Ian throughout the whole book because he spoke his mind and was passionate about helping his little brother. Their mom is never around and when she is she is with a guy and they are smoking marijuana. Their mother has been really struggling to make money and pay the bills ever since Sammy and Ian's father left. The whole family is just a mess with Ian holding everyone up. Everything is horrible but gets even worse one day at school. Ian has been late to school lately because he and Sammy have to sleep in a shed where there is no alarm clock or anything to wake them up on time. When he gets to school he gets in trouble for being late and is soon sent to the principal's office. When Ian is in the office the principal tells him that he is probably better off at another school and that he is, "Cleaning up the school." This makes Ian so frustrated, he does the unthinkable. He goes to gym class, gets in a fight with the gym teacher, and punches him. What Ian does next makes his whole life so much more complicated then it already was. He runs. He runs away and takes Sammy with him. They stuff their backpacks and run without having a clue in the world what was going to happen next. Throughout the rest of the book you will bring you to tears of sadness and laughter. Readers who enjoy sad realistic fiction books that are also full of suspense will love this book!
February 28, 2011
After reading "Skate" by Micheal Harmon, I was blown away. Words cannot describe how real and how raw this book is. The overall message of the story was understood at every angle. It was unpredictable to the point where you couldn't stop reading it. At one point, I honestly and truthfully thought I was reading a REAL STORY. It was amazing.
The book begins with Ian, the troubled teen that, well, hates the world and knows the world hates him back. In school he faces many problems such as ravenous PE coaches, over bearing counselors, and a principal looking to "clean up" the school starting with trying his best to get Ian to drop out or be expelled. Considering that his home life is in turmoil due to his cocaine addict of a mother and his biggest responsibility yet, his younger brother, Sammy. Through his bottomless rage and stresses, He acts out in violence after being man handled by Coach Spence and breaks his jaw. Ian feels as if he has no choice but to grab his board, his brother, and skate. Where exactly? His only parent left, His father.
In his fast pursuit, he endures a lot of many life changing experiences, including having to act out on a police officer. The fact that he goes through so much on a this long journey, his brother keeps to his questioning and dreaming about his father..
There is so much depth to this book, it's unbelievable. It really captures the idea of how the law can punish and how it can help. "Skate" truly sends a message out that I think EVERYONE needs to hear and understand.
The book begins with Ian, the troubled teen that, well, hates the world and knows the world hates him back. In school he faces many problems such as ravenous PE coaches, over bearing counselors, and a principal looking to "clean up" the school starting with trying his best to get Ian to drop out or be expelled. Considering that his home life is in turmoil due to his cocaine addict of a mother and his biggest responsibility yet, his younger brother, Sammy. Through his bottomless rage and stresses, He acts out in violence after being man handled by Coach Spence and breaks his jaw. Ian feels as if he has no choice but to grab his board, his brother, and skate. Where exactly? His only parent left, His father.
In his fast pursuit, he endures a lot of many life changing experiences, including having to act out on a police officer. The fact that he goes through so much on a this long journey, his brother keeps to his questioning and dreaming about his father..
There is so much depth to this book, it's unbelievable. It really captures the idea of how the law can punish and how it can help. "Skate" truly sends a message out that I think EVERYONE needs to hear and understand.
January 17, 2009
From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up–Ian McDermott doesn't have much going for him. He has basically raised himself and his young brother, who has fetal alcohol syndrome. Their mother is a deadbeat drug addict who makes rare appearances in their lives. At Morrison High School, things aren't much better; the administration wants him out. The thing is, Ian isn't going to take any guff from anyone. But one day, he loses his cool and ends up breaking Coach Florence's jaw. The teen knows that he and Sammy have to get away fast before the cops catch up with him. They grab some meager supplies and skate out of Spokane toward Walla Walla to search for their estranged father. Surviving on the lam in the wilderness isn't easy. They cross the state in cold rain, with barely enough provisions. At one point they end up in trouble with a sheriff but escape. The brothers have high hopes that their father will welcome them into his life, but things do not turn out as planned. The author has created a main character who is confident and tragic, but too many convenient coincidences detract from the story being completely believable. Ian's most redeeming quality is the love he has for his brother. The ending is predictable, and the novel does not have the zip that makes it extraordinary, but it does allow readers to breathe a sigh of relief for these siblings.–Shannon Seglin, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
Grade 8 Up–Ian McDermott doesn't have much going for him. He has basically raised himself and his young brother, who has fetal alcohol syndrome. Their mother is a deadbeat drug addict who makes rare appearances in their lives. At Morrison High School, things aren't much better; the administration wants him out. The thing is, Ian isn't going to take any guff from anyone. But one day, he loses his cool and ends up breaking Coach Florence's jaw. The teen knows that he and Sammy have to get away fast before the cops catch up with him. They grab some meager supplies and skate out of Spokane toward Walla Walla to search for their estranged father. Surviving on the lam in the wilderness isn't easy. They cross the state in cold rain, with barely enough provisions. At one point they end up in trouble with a sheriff but escape. The brothers have high hopes that their father will welcome them into his life, but things do not turn out as planned. The author has created a main character who is confident and tragic, but too many convenient coincidences detract from the story being completely believable. Ian's most redeeming quality is the love he has for his brother. The ending is predictable, and the novel does not have the zip that makes it extraordinary, but it does allow readers to breathe a sigh of relief for these siblings.–Shannon Seglin, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
August 12, 2008
Skate takes place in Spokane, WA (my hometown) and is about the troubles of a skater-punk kid name Ian. His mother is a drug addict and is never home, so Ian is left to take care of his little brother, Sammy. As you can imagine, this gets very difficult for Ian to deal with and he eventually gets into some trouble at school. He decides to run away to find his father who left them when they were young. He has an address in Walla Walla and that’s all he knows about him, but it’s his only chance at a normal life. So he and Sammy skate out of town to Walla Walla.
After a long, tiresome, and awful journey they finally make it to Walla Walla to find out that the address they have is from the State Penitentiary.
I loved this book. All through the book I was hoping and hoping that things would get better for Ian and as the book progressed things just kept getting worse. He kept making the wrong decisions and I wanted to shake him and say, “don’t do that!” But as the book progressed he learned from his mistakes. Ian is basically a good kid who wound up in a bad situation that he had no control over. In the end he learns that he has to face his problems to make his life better. “Skating” away isn’t going to work. He has to face his problems head-on.
After a long, tiresome, and awful journey they finally make it to Walla Walla to find out that the address they have is from the State Penitentiary.
I loved this book. All through the book I was hoping and hoping that things would get better for Ian and as the book progressed things just kept getting worse. He kept making the wrong decisions and I wanted to shake him and say, “don’t do that!” But as the book progressed he learned from his mistakes. Ian is basically a good kid who wound up in a bad situation that he had no control over. In the end he learns that he has to face his problems to make his life better. “Skating” away isn’t going to work. He has to face his problems head-on.
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