The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher

The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher is about friends Eddie and Billy. Poor Eddie has had a really rough life lately - his dad died and within three months, his best friend Billy died - and Eddie was the one to find them both. Eddie really doesn't have any other friends, so he's lucky that despite being dead, Billy hasn't really left. Billy is able to visit Eddie through dreams and "bumps" once Eddie is able to open his mind to him. One place they visit together often is the old sledding hill where they used to spend time when Billy was alive. At school, there is a big controversy over a book Eddie's literature class is reading. The local church and youth group have begun proceedings to have the book banned due to language and content. Many of the other students are against the ban, but the church is so powerful, they aren't sure how to stop them. Eddie decides to infiltrate the church by pretending he's against the book, only to find out the church and youth group's secrets. Eddie lets loose on the congregation when he is asked to testify before his confirmation. Just after that, at the school board meeting, many students and parents come together against the ban. The author of the 'offensive' book himself even shows up to defend the book (at Eddie's request).

I absolutely hated this book. I have never felt so betrayed by a back cover. The synopsis of the book claims it will be about Eddie's friendship with his dead best friend. I had no idea the entire book would be about the church and this fictional book which happened to be written by the actual author of The Sledding Hill, Chris Crutcher. It felt more like I was reading an autobiography than a story. I got really tired of reading about how rebellious Chris Crutcher is for writing books that get banned and for writing about 'touchy' subjects. I think this might be the only book I wish I hadn't read. I will definitely not be reading any other books by this author.