Then Again, Maybe I Won't

Product Information

Kathryn (Corky) Thomas– A tomboyish girl of Tony's age who has a crush on him, but receives little attention from him.

Tony likes his new life at first. Who wouldn't love a nice big house and a new 10 speed bike? But as his parents grow a little too comfortable with their lavish lifestyle, they change, and change isn't always a good thing. Once again, I'm looking at a book considered a 'classic' and not buying in. While it's important that someone actually did touch on these topics, as no one else did at the time and where else were kids supposed to get their information. But the story itself felt unfinished. I'd like to know if his grandmother is going to be ok, or whether his mother ever gets a clue.

Table of Contents

Tony's crush, Lisa, smokes cigarettes, and Tony tries to get her to quit by telling her about his grandmother, who had throat cancer and had her larynx removed — embellishing the story by mentioning that his grandmother smoked "like a fiend," although in truth she never smoked at all. It seems to work, as Lisa is so disgusted at the thought of losing her larynx that she swears off cigarettes right then and there, and Tony is pleased to think that he's responsible for her quitting smoking. I liked this book a lot because Tony always had such a good head on his shoulder throughout the whole novel. Sure, there were a few things he did (if you've read this book, you'll know what I mean) that were... immoral. But what thirteen year old doesn't have a few bad habits? Haha. Troubling Unchildlike Behavior: Tony, his rich next door friend Joel and his old friend from the inner city, Frankie, are hanging out in Joel's basement when Joel jimmies into his father's liquor cabinet. The three boys get drunk. It was the first time Tony and Frankie had done this, but Joel had been drinking enough that he knew well the differences between the various kinds of alcohol. Judy is a longtime advocate of intellectual freedom. Finding herself at the center of an organized book banning campaign in the 1980's she began to reach out to other writers, as well as teachers and librarians, who were under fire. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the National Coalition Against Censorship to protect the freedom to read. She is the editor of Places I Never Meant To Be, Original Stories by Censored Writers. Tony begins experiencing anxiety-related spells; namely when Joel is shoplifting. During a trip downtown, Tony suspects Joel stole something and faints in public. He gets admitted to the hospital. After doctors determine the malady is not medical (although he is diagnosed with "nervous stomach", which might now be translated to IBS), a therapist offers to help Tony. The therapy helps Tony learn new ways to deal with his problems.

After moving to Long Island, Tony frequently spies on Lisa and watches her change clothes. For Christmas, Tony asks for binoculars under the guise of a newfound interest in bird watching. In reality, he wants to get a better view of Lisa. He has wet dreams involving her and fears his parents or the housekeeper will know. Dad tries to have a sex talk with Tony, in which Tony informs Dad he’s knows how babies are made. Dad asks Tony if he’s sure the friend who told him gave him the right information. Tony says yes, and Dad is satisfied. Dad assures Tony, unconvincingly, that he’s there to answer any questions the boy has. He gives Tony a book called Basic Facts About Sex. A gym teacher tells the boys about wet dreams, which he calls nocturnal emissions. The love of money might be the root of all evil, as the bible says, or it might not be, but greed and entitlement were what most interested me when I started telling this story. I’m just as interested in these topics today. There are still many kids like Tony, kids who are trying to figure out where they belong in the world. I think there always will be. I gave Tony the stomach pains I had when I was young. I had a lot of anxieties, too. But his puberty–well, I talked to a number of guys and then I just let my imagination do the rest.Joel repeatedly shoplifts in front of Tony, and Tony wrestles with his conscience about whether to report the boy. On top of everything else, Tony’s hormonal changes plague him. He starts having wet dreams and getting erections, even in class. Overwhelmed with unanswered questions and unspoken concerns, Tony begins to have stress-induced stomach problems. Theft: Joel repeatedly steals from stores and the school cafeteria. It bothers Tony immensely, but he’s afraid to say anything.