"Alex smiled. After
that he loosened up and landed some good stuff. He ollied to backside
tailslide across one of the boxes, and he got a cheer when he pulled
a noseslide to shove-it out on the rail."
Pat Flynn uses the idiom of the skateboard scene in a way that is not
cringe-making. There is no overt explanation; instead a total immersion
in the skateboard culture lets you, indeed makes you, pick up the meaning
and nuances of this particular language.
Aimed at teenage boys, Alex Jackson: Closing Out is a thoroughly enjoyable,
unpatronising exercise in giving teenage boys what they want; sex and
success. The hero, Alex, is invited to join a group of professional
skateboarders for the summer and travel throughout the countryside giving
demonstrations. It is the modern, hipper version of joining the circus.
Back home Alex has a spunky little girlfriend, Becky. The $6000 question
is will they? Should they? Can they? Flynn handles this issue in a deft,
humorous way. Alex has a certain amount of pressure put on him from
his peers to have sex with Becky, but at the same time he is aware of
Becky's reservations. And when it gets down to it, Alex is quite terrified.
I also liked the savvy observation of schoolyard packs and the devastating
impact that powerful girls and boys can have on the lives of vulnerable,
less confident children.
Alex Jackson: Closing Out is the final book in this three-part series
and its overall success is largely due to the viable and attractive
character of Alex Jackson himself.
Dianne Dempsey, Melbourne Age, 2003
This is a book that explores growing up and the complications
adolescents endure throughout their teenage years. Alex Jackson is a
15-year-old boy turning man, who attends the local high school, has
a long-term girlfriend, plenty of friends, and wants to be a professional
skater.
The book begins with Alex about to leave to go on a tour as a rookie
with the professional Zen skating team, which features some of the country's
best skaters. Despite promises to his mother about team's angelic nature,
Alex is exposed to the wild side of life, with the Zen team up until
all hours, chasing some of the prettiest girls Alexandra Headland has
to offer.
Back at home, Alex regretfully breaks up with his girlfriend Becky after
being with her for two years.
As a teenage reader I found the book extremely realistic and, thus,
extremely interesting.
Angus O'Brien, Courier Mail, 2003
Abounding in nollies, 360 flips and verts, 720s,
fakies on the ramp, skategroms, and other examples of exceptionally
well integrated skateboard jargon, this is the third and last novel
of the adventures of young Alex Jackson.
In his tense search for personal enlightenment,
Alex's girlfriend Becky can only wait for him to work it out. Alex uses
his obvious talent to better himself, as he tentatively, then with greater
confidence, leaves the securities of childhood for the insecurities,
yet deep fulfilments of adult responsibility. Told in a gripping narrative,
the story deals realistically and sensitively with such issues as bullying,
tolerance, friendship, conformity and peer pressure.
W. Bowie, NSW Department of Education
Not having read the first
two books in the trilogy, Alex Jackson: Grommet and Alex Jackson: SWA,
I was unsure whether this final instalment would be lost on me. But
from the very first page, my fears were allayed. This book speaks to
the heart of anyone who has ever been a teenager or is struggling through
that tumultuous time right now.
Admittedly, I had not one clue about the skate-speak, but the core of
the story, his transition at age 15 from being a kid to being expected
to know all there is to know about the opposite sex, certainly gets
its point across.
Flynn writes with enormous insight, compassion and credibility-as well
as humour-to convey the fears, hurts and confusion of his likeable character,
Alex, as he struggles from boyhood into the next phase of his life.
This phase, when Alex has just turned 15, is marked by being allowed
to go on a professional tour with the Zen team-some of the best skaters
in the country-all of whom are much older than Alex.
Far from the reassuring promises made to Alex's mum, the guys open Alex's
eyes to a whole new world that includes drinking and chronic infidelity.
Returning home to his family and girlfriend after the tour, Alex is
faced with some pretty difficult decisions and a lot to learn about
the way he wants to lead his own life.
Wonderfully real and contemporary, this a great read for young teens.
Dani Colvin Sunday Tasmanian 2003
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