***** FIVE STAR REVIEW FOR ‘‘KICK-ASS’ TYLER’
By Canadian Author, Diana Sobolewski September 2020
With so
much upheaval in the world, Clancy Tucker's stories are a soothing balm.
'Kick-Ass' Tyler is no exception. Like the other books I've read by this award-winning
author (Gunnedah Hero, A Drover's Blanket and Love Ya Work), 'Kick-Ass' Tyler
is a safe place to go to quiet the noise and be reminded of the important
things in life.
As a human rights activist and champion of young people, Clancy Tucker's values
and empathetic personality seep into his stories. He leaves part of himself on
the pages and does so with Aussie flare. While intended for a younger audience,
anyone can get something out of a Clancy Tucker story.
Samantha Tyler is a spirited young woman who acts out after the death of her
father. Newly married, the 14 year old's mother finds Sam to be a handful and
despairs her daughter will never give her stepfather a chance.
Still we glimpse an intelligent, astute, resourceful young woman who's a loyal
friend. Thinking herself ordinary, she proves to be anything but. When a
classmate is kidnapped, Sam springs into action. She mobilizes the school, the
authorities, various adults and the media to help in the search. Showing
uncommon courage when pursuing a lead that threatens her own safety, Sam
doesn't let up.
In the process, Sam unites the community, wins the approval and support of her
mother and comes to appreciate her stepfather for the caring man he is. Her
actions earn her the handle 'Kick-Ass' Tyler.
I've already purchased the sequel to 'Kick-Ass' Tyler (Better Than Sliced
Bread) and look forward to finding out where life has taken the young woman
governed by a new found inner strength.
Love Ya Work Clancy Tucker!
I have just finished Kick-Ass Tyler (KAT); Clancy's latest book & it was a corker - full of adventure, courage & pure kick-ass Aussie spunk.
If it’s one thing I deplore it’s that; in most books & movies; the female is characterised as the weak victim who always seems to fall over at the most inopportune time. But not in a Clancy 'Kick-Ass' Tucker book - they just don't - they shine.
Young Samantha Tyler has endured more in her short life than most. She has a rebellious streak, but a heart of gold. Her life & friends were coasting along just fine until a boy from her school is suddenly kidnapped. 'Sam' as she likes to be called; uses her 'kick-ass' magic & provokes her school colleagues & the community into action in an effort to find young Zoran. Somewhere during her endeavours, she herself provokes the kidnapper, & is kidnapped herself.
Sam & Zoran are eventually saved, through the combined efforts of people she has met during the process, her step-father & her beloved dog 'Ruffy.'
KAT is a great read for avid readers of all ages. It is another great adventure story that epitomises the courage & tenacity of our youth; & their resourcefulness in the face of adversity.
I highly recommend KAT. I understand it is one of a series. I am now waiting with baited breath for the next book in the series to come to fruition.
Well done Clancy. You are an amazing author. You honour your country; your literary profession & yourself. I applaud you Clancy Tucker. We need more great authors like you in our schools & libraries.
Sam Tyler (Kick-Ass) is a feisty young teenage girl who's had a hard life, having lost her dad way too early for any kid. To survive that wound and mask the pain, Sam's response was to be tough and a bit rebellious, with a good dash of love and empathy, common sense and wisdom beyond her years, and the kind of guts we all admire - or definitely should!
She mobilises her school mates and community members to help police locate a school mate who's been abducted. Sam is instrumental in rescuing her friend and, in the process, gets herself into all sorts of bother. It's a pleasure to observe her skills and abilities - that any girl her age can develop - watch her character mature, her toughness soften into the quality of ''strength'', and her relationship with her step-dad and some authority figures warm and grow.
This is a book from which young teenage girls, especially, would benefit. Having said that, I am a male and closer to 70 than 60, and I was warmed and encouraged by the authentic humanity of the leading characters, and the values they espoused and demonstrated. And if, as you read K-A, you cry at times, you are a human being!
Well done, Clancy. Thanks for the joy!
Jack White
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