Winger by Andrew Smith

Winger by Andrew Smith

Smith, Andrew, and Sam Bosma. Winger. Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2014.

In the novel Winger by Andrew Smith, Ryan Dean West is at a boarding school for wealthy
teenagers. The difference that sets Ryan Dean apart from everyone else is that he is about
three years younger than everyone else in his grade. 

Ryan Dean is on the school rugby team, in which he plays the position of winger, hence his
nickname “Winger”. Ryan Dean has found himself living in Opportunity Hall, a punishment for
getting into trouble. An even bigger punishment is that his roommate is the biggest bully at
school, Chas Becker. Ryan Dean must learn to lay low and stay off his radar if he wants to
survive this school year.

Another thing that Ryan Dean must deal with is the fact that he is in love with his best friend,
Annie. While with her, in Seattle, visiting her family, Ryan Dean is finally able to make his
feelings known, however Annie says that she can only be friends. 

As the story progresses, Ryan Dean finds himself in a love triangle between Annie and Megan,
Chas’ girlfriend. 

Ryan Dean eventually tells Megan that he is no longer interested and he apologizes to Chas for
getting in the way. Chas and Ryan Dean end up becoming friends and Ryan Dean learns that
he needs to know himself first before anything else can happen. 

For fans of Winger, I recommend reading the next book in the series; Stand Off.