Cheeseburger Subversive

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

Scarsbrook’s first foray into writing for older adolescents is a
delightful collection of 12 short stories that follow Dak Sifter of the
fictional rural community of Faireville, Ontario, from Grade 7 into his
first year of university. Two stories represent each grade, the
exceptions being Grades 9 and 12 and Dak’s university freshman year
(each of which has but one), and Grade 7 (which has three). Though the
stories can each stand alone as separate reads, together they reveal
Dak’s growth over time as he tackles many of the developmental tasks
of adolescence. Consequently, readers can recognize the changes in
Dak’s relationship with his parents, especially his English-teacher
father. For example, in “Lawn Boy (Grade 7)” Dak perceives his
father to be “unmanly,” but in “Pushin’ Pickle (Grade 8),” a
maturing Dak recognizes his father’s quiet strength.

Dak’s growing up consists of many firsts, including his first job
[“Searchlight TV (Grade 10)”] and car [“Cruisin’ Machine (Grade
10)”]. Zoe Perry, Dak’s first and continuing romantic interest,
initially sees him only as a friend. However, in “Thank You, Quentin
Alvinstock (Grade 11),” Dak utilizes his own poetry to declare his
feelings, and, in the title story, “Cheeseburger Subversive (Grade
12),” the pair has their second first date. The closing piece,
“Tristan’s Quarter (First-year, University),” finds Dak needing to
re-woo Zoe.

The collection’s overall tone is humorous, and some stories include
“visual” postscripts, such as the school bus–riding bully’s
“Official Notice of Suspension” that follows “Hell on Wheels
(Grade 7).” Scarsbrook also subtly embeds aspects of adolescent
life’s darker side into many stories, while “Benjamin’s Aliens
(Grade 9, with Grade 3 flashbacks)” powerfully deals with teen
suicide. Highly recommended.