Scratchin' on the Eight Ball

by Tom Frye

In a coming of age story reminiscent of The Outsiders, thirteen-year-old, Reason Nelson attends a party that is busted by the local police. As he flees, he collides with a detective and a drug dealer. He snatches up what he believes to be his leather jacket and crawls into a doghouse. In the pocket of this coat, Reason discovers a key that opens a safe-deposit box containing evidence that will solve the murder of a young female informant. Reason...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1735895679
• ISBN13: 9781735895673
• Release Date: July 2022
• Publisher: White Cat
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An excellent read

I have read this book several times. Many, if not most, of the things described in it actually happened. I grew up knowing the author as a friend and mentor - and he is one of the great influences on my life. He played a huge part in helping many kids in the area to move away from drugs and the lifestyle and the consequenes that they lead to. At least he helped THIS kid. This book tells Lincoln as it is, and it is indeed difficult to put down once you start. I highly recommend it. Great job Tom!

OutStanding Book!

This book will inspire even those who you thought would never pick up a book, let alone finish one. I read this book in the ninth grade and now at age 34 I not only push this book for any kid who is just not in the right place, or going in the wrong direction, this book is just for them. I was inspired by this book and so will you. An awesome and easy read, but please be warned, once you pick it up it is really hard to put down!

I was there!

It's been a while since I last read this book, but I was in Jr high at Mickle middle school in Lincoln. It was less than ten years that the events took place if I recall right. It seemed like all north side schools had us reading this book. Bottom line, it was so close to home, it has remained in my head and every time I see reports on drugs and kids, I can't help but to be reminded of this story. When I was younger I thought it was all [...], but now I see what it's all about. You can't "just say no" but if your kids read, then you need to have this book for your kids.

Great book, even as the years pass

I am from Lincoln, Nebraska, and I remember reading this book while I was a teenager. I went to each area of Lincoln where the action of the book takes place and imagined it played out in my head. The description of the locations is perfect, the characters are real and as complex as any of S.E. Hinton's angst ridden teens. Even now, at 25 years old, I am adding this book to my X-mas wish list. Not only did I relate to this book, but it inspired me. I plan to keep it on my bookshelf for my children...right next to Judy Blume and Shel Silverstein.

Scratchin' on the Eight Ball

This is a great book for at risk students or those interested in learning about at risk children. The author does a great job describing the atmosphere and lifestyle that a troubled teen lives through everyday. The book is about a 14-year-old boy in Lincoln, Nebraska. This is not a huge metropolitan city. Yes, children in your community can be at risk.