The Order of the Poison Oak

The Russel Middlebrook Series, Book 2

By: Brent Hartinger

Narrated by: Josh Hurley

“Summer camp is different from high school. Something about spending the night. Things happen.”

Geography Club's Russel Middlebrook is back, and he and his friends are off to work as counselors at a summer camp. Brent Hartinger's third novel is the story of Indian legends, skinny-dipping in moonlit coves, and passionate summer romance. It's also the story of Russel's latest club, the Order of the Poison Oak, a secret society dedicated to helping its members see life's hidden beauty and accept its sometimes painful sting.

©2005 Brent Hartinger (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Applause

This was honestly so cute and raw. The refreshing honesty of this fictional piece gives readers what it’s actually like being inside a teen LGBTQ+ head. Poor Russell is HOT for boys, but he doesn’t wanna admit it because he doesn’t want other people‘s perception of him to be just that.

The characters:

•They are teenagers and unapologetically so. They are impulsive and one track minded and they very easily get bent out of shape over nothing. Poor Russell only has one thing on his mind and that is just about all teenage boys think about. The jealousy piece is so real. The feeling inadequate is so real. The admiration of what others have or who they are IS SO REAL. Hartinger absolutely nails the teenage mind and experience.

The Writing:

• I love the way that these books are written. It’s in first person, from Russell‘s viewpoint, but you get to see how insecure and unsure he is of himself and other people. He does a lot of thinking. And he thinks about boys A LOT. I also found this very easy to follow along and immerse myself in the story.

The Story:

• As I said above, this was super cute but also very real. One of the major lessons that Russell learns during this installment is that while he was feeling so invisible for so long, he had the chance to make a certain group of kids finally feel seen. He also learns that some people just want to use him for their own agenda and that doesn’t sit well with him. I also really enjoyed how he met someone who, at first glance, didn’t necessarily match his perceptions of what beauty is until he got to know this character and started to enjoy the person he was.

AMAZING!

I thought the first book was great, but this one totally blew me out of the water! Had an amazing story, and wonderful read I can't wait to read the next one!

Unique sequel

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would because, as a sequel to the first book in his series ("The Geography Club"), author Brent Hartinger has gone in a direction that was certainly novel and opened up new opportunities for growth and experience among his characters. The unique setting for this second installment was enlightening, informative, and relevant. Certainly a treat.

Would you be willing to try another book from Brent Hartinger? Why or why not?

Yes, and I have. As mentioned in earlier reviews, I appreciate Mr. Hartinger's respect for his characters: teens who are figuring out the world, are admittedly confused about lots of things (including their own behavior), and (most of all) speak like teens.

What does Josh Hurley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He's awesome. The author really retained the "teen voice" throughout this book series, but that could have easily been lost with poor narration. Mr. Hurley did a fantastic job conveying all that the characters are at this point in their lives.

Amazing Book

Great second book of the series. really love the narrator and how he read the book.