Ryan Dean West is a self-proclaimed loser. Not only is he two years younger and scrawnier than other juniors at Pine Mountain Academy, he's also a wuss who can't voice his true feelings to his best friend/secret love, Annie, or stand up to his hated, hulk of a roommate Chas "Betch" Becker (if just one letter is changed...). He is, however, at the top of his class, a loyal friend (unless Annie's involved, then all bets are off - ask his once best friend, JP...), an amazing cartoonist, and a kick-ass rugby winger. A colorful cast of characters are presented, especially those in the dreaded O-Hall for deviant boys ranging from ominous, strict dorm masters Mr. Farrow and Mrs. Singer, to the murderous pair Casey Palmer and Nick Matthews who beat Winger's unapologetically gay teammate and friend Joey Cosentino to death the night of a school dance in hopes of keeping the details of a desired secret tryst from ever surfacing.
Teenaged girls will appreciate Ryan Dean's sweet endearing reverence of Annie as he works his way up to revealing his true feelings for her. Teenaged boys, especially reluctant readers, will warm up to the idea of finishing this 439-page novel once the mother-load of cuss words, insults, comebacks, foul, locker-room language and awesome cartooning are discovered that make Winger a winner on all accounts.
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