title: Against All Enemies
author/editor: Richard A. Clarke
reviewed by: June

Janis Owens, the author of this book, is a native of West Florida and the daughter of an Assembly of God preacher. She is uniquely in tune with the setting of this novel. She speaks the authentic language of the natives with its distinct flavor and tone.

The story is told in the voice of eleven year old Clayton Catts as he deals with a series of abrupt changes in his life. Early in the book, his father, Michael dies. Although he doesn't fully understand his loss, the one person who loved him unconditionally, and gave him the fond nickname of Claybird, is gone from his life.

The looming possibility of having a stepfather frightens him. Thus, he and his older siblings conspire to get Michael's brother, Gabe to return from New York and marry their mother. Although Claybird has heard vague rumors which he doesn't understand about why Gabe left town, he accepts his uncle as stepfather.

When a vacancy occurs in the history department of Claybird's school, Gabe agrees to accept the position. Claybird is moderately dyslexic and when he insists he "cain't read" and "cain't write", Gabe offers to help. He hires a scribe to read to him.

Then Gabe launches a class project to encourage his students to study their family history. He suggests Claybird use a recorder to tape his interviews. As he asks more and more questions, Claybird uncovers family secrets that everyone seems to know except him. Finally, he discovers one huge secret that drives him out of his home.

Feeling "left out of the family loop" only adds to his burden of anger, awkwardness and confusion. For a year he lives with a doting aunt. By this time, he is entering puberty, and to the extent of his under-standing, he is beginning to learn about life in the same way that all of us do.

June adds: "This is an enjoyable easy read. At the same time, it takes me back to my own early struggles with family contradictions."

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