Last Wave

By Paul Hayden

Book Overview

Seventeen-year-old Matt "Owl" Owen is living in the heyday between school and the rest of his life. He has his friends, the beach, and the surf -- and the big event on his calendar is a date with Hayley Churchill, an absolute goddess. When she asked him to take her to Stink's eighteenth birthday, Owl thought he'd die. Is it possible his best friend's sister has finally come to her senses, or is Owl just putting himself on?
It's supposed to be the best summer of his life, a final hurrah before Owl and his buddies are forced to grow up and start the next phase of life, but he and his surfing crew are about to get dragged kicking and screaming into the adult world -- and nothing will ever be the same again.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743464729
• ISBN13: 9780743464727
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: MTV Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.4" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Amazing Book

I read this going into my senior year of high school and it instantly became one of my favorite books. Definately can relate to the teenage life with the surf culture thrown in. A great summer book and a great fictional surfing book. Definately recommend it. Only thing is it takes a little while to get used to the australian terms if you don't know them.

A Great Book

Summer is everyone's favorite part of the year. Some people go to camp, some people travel, and others go to the beach. Last Wave by Paul Hayden is about all of the people that go to the beach. People that go to the beach are different than regular people. At the beach everyone is friend with everyone and there is just one big gang. This summer is the last summer the gang s before they all move on to the real world. One thing in the book that I love is the opening page. The first page dives right in without any introduction. HE HOLDS MY FOOT IN HIS HANDS AS HE'S TALKING TO ME."The bone is fusing itself.""What do you mean?""Just what I said. The cartilage has deteriorated and because of that the bones start to rub together-and as they rub they cause a sort of sediment that actually builds up and stiffens the joint.""Christ..." I sort of gasp quietly, and sink down a little further in the chair.I like that a lot because you don't have the unnecessary information. Last Wave starts in the middle of conversation. This beginning is very unique I have not seen a opening like this in a book so when I saw this I knew it was going to be good. It was good to start the book with somebody breaking there foot because there is a lot of action to this. "Bones Fusing" that is so cool!There is only one thing that I didn't like about the book: there was a lot of cursing. I can see there being a little bit but of put is just goes past the limits. But it got to the point where it started to be a little much.I think I'm studying a knot in the wood, trying to remember what *******ing planet I am on."What's up, Mate?""This is a *******in' waist of time.""We know that-what's your *******in' problem?"Hayden's language other wise is exactly how a teen would talk. Since Hayden uses language that is very appealing to the teenage reader. This book would not be suited for an older person or middle-aged person unless they were interested in seeing how teens talk. The two main characters are Hayley and Matt. Matt is the innocent good friend. Hayley is that girl that nobody can have. Hayley and Matt have been friends forever. They have grown up together and have that brother-sister type relationship. Butt when Matt try's to make it something else there is a disaster.The book is very real and that is why is why I am raving about it. The way that Hayden describes these beach bums is exactly how they are. To my knowledge Hayden was one of those kids. Hayden describes it so well because he has lived it. He describes the surf and the party's like you are there. There is a character named Hayley Churchill that Matt describes as a "goddess." Matt has had his eye on Hayley Churchill for a long time. Matt thought that he would never have a chance with Hayley but a sudden chain of events happens. Hayley decides to ask Matt to Stink's party. Stinks part is suppose to be the biggest party of the year. So naturally Matt is excited that he is going with Hayley.

Totally Awesome Dude...

I picked this book up at the library and it looked really good. So good when I started reading it I never put it down till I turned the last page. Owl has to over come alot in this small pocket book, but he does it gracefully. With one of his loves no longer with him, he feel guilt and sorrow. Beautifully written and the story proceed's with excellent pace. Would be a great read for surfers or beach bums, relaxing on the beach.

An End-Of-Innocence Story--Beautifully Done

Matt Owen, known to his "mates" as Owl, is enjoying his last summer fling after high school, surfing on the east coast of Australia, and getting ready for his first date with Hayley Churchill, who is going with him to the big dance. He has dreamed of this moment for years. Hayley is his best friend's sister and--well--a goddess. Things couldn't be any better.But then, within ten minutes, his dream date turns to dust. He doesn't see Hayley again for the rest of the evening, and--without revealing too much of the plot--the evening ends in tragedy. The remainder of the book tells how Matt and his teen-aged friends deal with these events.The story moves along quickly, taking the reader into the inner world of Matt and his young friends, their struggles, their hurts, and their loss of innocence. The dialogue is snappy and smart, written in teen-age Aussie slang. The characters grow on you. The events are believable. Toward the end, I think, the story tends to get bogged down in in a bit of sentimentality, but this is a minor flaw. The book is an enjoyable read and I recommend it. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber