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.