Fred is a teenage golfer who's praised by the high school
coach. Fred's also a girl from the Gila River Native
Reservation, who feels shy about joining the all-male team.
The coach swears he'll look after her at tournaments but
she's not convinced, and neither is her dad. Still, a college
scholarship is possible... so she agrees. She doesn't want
to tell her mother, who waits tables at the casino
restaurant and resents the rich white people. There is no
money for golf shoes or anything else, despite her weekend
kitchen job.
Ryan, who lives in town, just knows the Rez people as the
staff at the restaurant where his family enjoy meals. He's
heard there'll be changes in the tournament lineup, but no
details. Then his pal Seth, who practised hard all summer,
gets dropped from the team. No way, thinks Ryan, and he's
even less pleased when he finds out who the replacement is.
From loyalty to Seth he doesn't welcome Fred into the
country club clique, and doesn't tell her of a malicious
prank which sees her toiling through her first tournament
with three large bricks at the bottom of her bulky old golf
bag. Even though he can't help admiring her swing, and
putt, and dedication... and maybe her looks.
The culture clash in HOOKED is made sharper by the division
between the sexes, as Fred is a wrong fit in two ways.
When Ryan genuinely invites her to a party at his swanky
home, the blonde girl trying to get her claws into Ryan
jeers at her and the other boys start saying they'll have
to watch their cars because the neighbourhood is going to
pot. One of the boys on the Rez, Sam, is keen on Fred, but
she doesn't want to start anything.
Location is a large part of this story, the arid landscape
softened by lush greens, and saguaro contributing needles
to the obstacles off fairway. Fred is keenly aware of
environmental sounds and scents but the boys on the team
are more interested in gadgets, cars and beer. Ryan's
family life is not perfect which helps him identify with
Fred, once he gets to know her properly. But the pranks
aren't over, and nobody makes life easy for either of the
teens.
Liz Fichera has written a really unusual, thoughtful and
enjoyable coming-of-age story, culminating in intense drama
and personal growth. I recommend HOOKED to young men and
women equally, whether or not they like golfing.
Get hooked on a girl named Fred… HE said: Fred Oday is a girl? Puh-leeze. Why is a girl taking my best friend's spot on the boys' varsity golf team? SHE said: Can I seriously do this? Can I join the boys' team? Everyone will hate me—especially Ryan Berenger. HE said: Coach expects me to partner with Fred on the green? That is crazy bad. Fred's got to go—especially now that I can't get her out of my head. So not happening. SHE said: Ryan can be nice, when he's not being a jerk. Like the time he carried my golf bag. But the girl from the rez and the spoiled rich boy from the suburbs? So not happening. But there's no denying that things are happening as the girl with the killer swing takes on the boy with the killer smile…
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