The Sledding Hill

The Sledding Hill is a powerful and unique young adult novel narrated by the recently deceased Billy Bartholomew, who watches over his best friend, Eddie Proffit. After the deaths of his father and Billy, Eddie, a 14-year-old, becomes selectively mute. His silence is challenged when a conservative minister and English teacher orchestrate a censorship campaign at school. Billy's witty and poignant narration guides readers through Eddie's internal struggle as he grapples with grief, loneliness, and the courage to speak up against injustice. This book is ideal for middle school and early high school readers (ages 12-16) who appreciate stories with deep emotional resonance, a touch of magical realism, and themes of resilience and standing up for one's beliefs.

Eddie hasn't had an easy year.First his father dies. Then his best friend Billy accidentally kicks a stack of Sheetrock over on himself, breaking his neck and effectively hitting tilt on his Earthgame. Eddie and Billy were inseparable. Still are. Billy isn't going to let a little thing like death stop him from hanging in there with his friend. And when Eddie faces an epic struggle with the powers that be, Billy will remain right there beside him.