Gene is a hardworking, lonely intellectual. Phineas is an outgoing, confident, handsome athlete. The two best friends board at the Devon School in New England during the early years of World War II. Gene begins to envy Phineas and his glowing way of being, until one summer day where his envy takes over him. What happens completely destroys the innocence of these two best friends and turns their worlds upside down. This novel is appropriate for high school students, and it does a great job of capturing the essence of war versus peace while illustrating the story of two best friends and all of the obstacles and changes they face in their lives. While this was a book I had to read for school, I actually enjoyed it and I would encourage others to read it, as it conveys many powerful messages about friendship and jealousy that are worth learning.
-Freya (Teen Reviewer)