On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

The protagonist of Francisco Stork’s latest novel finds himself “on the hook” when his lust for revenge can’t be satisfied.

On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork. Scholastic, 2021, 289 pages

Reading Level: Teen, 12-15

Recommended for: Ages 15-18

Hector Flores, the academic star of his immigrant family, has apretty good shot at getting out of the projects as long as he can steer clear of Chavo, the local drug dealer. But especially Chavo’s younger brother Jose, or Joey, who seems to have it in for him. When Hector’s big brother Filiberto starts dating Chavo’s former girlfriend, Hector can see nothing good about the situation. He’s not wrong. Chavo isn’t giving up and Joey’s bullying and intimidation gets worse, making Hector fear he’s living up to Joey’s tagging of him as a coward.

On the night of his greatest achievement—reading a prizewinning essay to the Lions Club—Chavo brings the tension to a head by attacking Filiberto. Joey gets involved, and when a terrible thing happens Hector comes unfrozen from his cowardice and does a terrible thing in return. Both boys are sent to Furman Academy in San Antonio: a fancy name for reform school. But is reform even possible?

Hector is “on the hook”—consumed with hatred for Joey and lusting for revenge. To his mind, justice will not be satisfied until his enemy is dead. We know, or certainly hope, that both boys will reach some sort of equilibrium, but it won’t be easy. Readers will have different opinions about whether reconciliation actually happens. These boys, like all of us, are out of balance. Hector recalls his late father’s words about most men: “[W]e’re wild horses when we should be thinking, and thinking when we should be galloping with the heart of a wild horse.” Where’s the balance? His best friend Azi, an Iranian Christian whose family fled persecution, has one answer: “The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” But the Lord doesn’t seem to be anywhere near when Hector needs him.

As the subject matter suggests, this is a gritty novel with a fair amount of cursing (d-m and h-l) and crude references, though not nearly as graphic as it is in real life. The author draws on his own experiences as a Mexican immigrant in the projects, avoiding pat answers. But the God answer of forgiveness and reconciliation is clearly on the table; it’s up to Hector to seize on it.

Consideration:

• Note language concerns, above. The reform-school setting includes violence.

Overall Rating: 4.25 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 4
• Artistic/literary value: 4.5

Read more about our ratings here.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Reviews: See our reviews of other books by Francisco X. Stork: Marcelo in the Real World and Disappeared (starred review).
• Reflection: “Dark” YA (most of it MUCH darker than On the Hook) was controversial ten years ago; today it’s just the norm. We had thoughts back then that are still relevant: Turn on the Light and The Lord Saves.

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